Water Quality Analysis of River PAMBA using WQI Method and GIS Mapping

River Pamba is the third longest river in the South Indian state of Kerala. One of the most famous pilgrim centre in South India , Sabarimala dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is located in the banks of Pamba. During pilgrimage season, pilgrims use river water for various sanitary purposes and the water gets contaminated. This paper deals with the water quality analysis of River Pamba in three stages – before, during and after pilgrimage season and assess the water quality using Water Quality Index method and GIS mapping. The parameters analysed are pH, Turbidity, Conductivity, Chloride, Total Alkalinity, Total Acidity, Total Hardness, Total Dissolved Solids, Coliforms and E-coli. KeywordspH, Turbidity, Conductivity, Chloride, Total alkalinity, Total acidity, Total Hardness, TDS, Coliforms, Ecoli,pilgrim season,GIS mapping, River Pamba, Water Quality Index, I.INTRODUCTION River Pamba is one of the major source of drinking water in Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha District of Kerala. Around thirty lakh people depend on this river and its tributaries for their different needs. The pilgrim season at Sabarimala starts from November to January every year. During this period, the water gets polluted more due to the sanitary activities done by pilgrims. So the water quality analysis should be done to check the extent of pollution.


I.INTRODUCTION
River Pamba is one of the major source of drinking water in Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha District of Kerala. Around thirty lakh people depend on this river and its tributaries for their different needs. The pilgrim season at Sabarimala starts from November to January every year. During this period, the water gets polluted more due to the sanitary activities done by pilgrims. So the water quality analysis should be done to check the extent of pollution. ➢ To assess the water quality of River Pamba at different wards of Perunad panchayath. ➢ To analyse the water quality before, during and after pilgrimage season using WQI method and GIS mapping. ➢ To check whether the water quality is within the standards, and hence suitable or not for domestic and other purposes.
II. SCOPE The water samples were collected and analysed-before , during and after pilgrimage season. Later on the next years, this information will be useful for taking pollution preventive measures before pilgrimage season starts. This method can be extended to the areas where Pamba river flows and affected by the pilgrim season . This methods helps to determine the polluted areas.

Remarks
• Low pH in all wards (less than 6.5) except Perunad, which showed a value of 6.5.
• Turbidity is within the desirable limits in all wards, but for drinking purpose, it is not safe (should be less than 1NTU).
• TDS, total hardness, chloride, alkalinity, acidity is within the desirable limit.
• E-coli and Coliforms are present The test results of water samples collected from different wards of Perunad grama panchayath during pilgrimage season are shown in the TABLE 4 • pH, TDS, Total acidity, Total alkalinity, Total hardness, Chloride is within the limit.
• The value of turibidity is high compared to the values in before pilgrimage season.
• E-coli and coliform are present and have greater value compared to before pilgrimage season.
The test results of water samples collected from different wards of Perunad grama panchayath after pilgrimage season are shown in the table 5. • Ph, Total acidity, Total alkalinity, EC, TDS, Chloride is within the limit. • Turbidity is above the limit and there is a slight decrease in the value compared to during pilgrimage season.
• E-coli and coliform content increased.  Since the Water Quality Index of Pamba river was in the range of 1000 -3000 which is above 100 in all the 3 seasons(before , during and after pilgrim season), the water is unfit for human consumption. High value of WQI may be due to the large amount of coliform present in the river water. The GIS map is obtained using IDW Interpolation method. The map is plotted with X axis as longitude, Y axis as latitude and Z axis as WQI. In fig 3,4 and 5, the shades of different colours shows intensity of WQI within the selected boundary. The green colour shows areas with comparatively less WQI and red colour shows areas with high WQI. V. CONCLUSION In Pamba River, all physic-chemical and biological parameters were fluctuated in the three seasons and in different stations. Raised values of certain parameters like turbidity, total coliform , e-coli clearly indicated pollution of Pamba River. From the test results, it is clear that certain parameters crossed the permissible limit. The high amount of coliform count may be due to the human excreta during pilgrim season. Low discharge of river water during and after pilgrim season is also a factor the increased amount of coliforms. The increased turbidity observed during pilgrim season may be due to the input of organic matter and sewage effluents into the river. The high value of WQI in all places is due to the high value of coliform content. Remedies to reduce the level of pollution:

C. GIS Mapping
• Proper collection and mangament system for different types of waste generated during pilgrim season. • Proper latrine facilities should be provided at places where pilgrims used to take rest, bathing etc. • Also, a certain level of water should be maintained by releasing water from storage dams. • Turbidity can be reduced by stopping the usage of soaps while pilgrims take bath in the river water. • Powdered roots and shoots of Vetiveria Zizanioides (phytoremediation using plants) can be used for removing bacterias and pollutants.