Abstract

ASSESS THE PORTABILITY OF DRINKING WATER BY TESTING FOR THE PRESENCE OF BACTERIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS IN GROUND WATER, AND ITS HARMFUL EFFECTS ON COMMUNITIES IN PROXIMITY OF BBMP-APPROVED LANDFILL SITE IN BENGALURU.

Amit Kumar*, Suhas S. V., Dr. Balakeshwa Ramaiah

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Major metropolitan cities, such as Bangalore, have seen a steep population growth leading to increased waste products, including industrial and domestic waste, which, if not managed and disposed of properly, can cause soil and water contamination. Methodology: Samples were collected from a Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) approved landfill in Bengaluru within a radius of 1200m and tested for 14 contaminants. Out of the 10 drinking groundwater samples, 9 were untreated, and 1 was treated. Results: The maximum physical contamination detected was TDS of 540mg/L at ≈1060m and EC of 1169 μS/cm. The maximum chemical contamination detected were As of 0.02mg/ml at 450m, Cl of 538mg/ml at 100m, Cr of 0.86 mg/ml at 100m, Cu of 0.6mg/ml at 220m, Dissolved O2 of 40mg/L at 330m, F of 1.5mg/ml at 920m, Free Cl of 0.02mg/ml at 1060, Fe of 0.17mg/ml 220m, Nitrate of 187.6mg/ml at 220m, Phosphate of 0.11 mg/L at 100m and Sulphates of 72.16 mg/ml at 100m. The water samples' pH values ranged from 6.2 to 7.8. The finding of TMC of 2.16 x 107 at 220m and E. coli of 0.11 x 107 at 760m indicated bacterial contamination. Conclusion: The study highlights the health risk associated with the consumption of drinking groundwater from areas in proximity to landfills, either due to acute or chronic exposure to the leachates present. The results of our study inform about the need for immediate improvement in the process of municipal waste management of BBMP Bangalore.

Keywords: Waste management, Physicochemical, Bacteriological Contaminants, Drinking Groundwater, and Circular Economy.