Comparative Study of Groundwater Quality of Pune City: Post-Monsoon and Post-Monsoon

Abstract

This study investigates the variations in groundwater quality in Pune city between the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. Groundwater is a vital resource for drinking, irrigation, and industrial purposes, especially in the city\'s periphery where treated water supply is limited. This research examines the impact of seasonal rainfall, runoff, and anthropogenic influences on groundwater quality by analysing key physicochemical parameters, major ions, heavy metals, and microbiological indicators. The findings highlight the importance of continuous monitoring and management strategies to ensure the sustainability of groundwater resources in the face of increasing contamination and environmental changes.

Introduction

Groundwater is a critical resource in Pune’s peripheral areas, primarily used for drinking, domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes due to limited piped water access. Seasonal factors like rainfall and human activities significantly affect groundwater quality, especially between pre- and post-monsoon periods. This study aims to assess these seasonal variations in groundwater quality to inform better water management and public health strategies.

2. Literature Review

Past studies on groundwater in and around Pune highlight several key themes:

• Integrated approaches like Water Quality Index (WQI) and statistical methods (Gautam et al., 2024) help evaluate spatial variations in water quality.

• Waste disposal near sites like Uruli Devachi contributes to contamination risks (Nihalani et al., 2022).

• Hydrogeochemical studies and human health risk assessments provide insights into contaminants and risks (Kadam et al., 2021).

• Reports from CGWB and studies by Sayyed et al. (2013) show how urbanization and industrialization alter groundwater quality.

• Broader studies (e.g., Mishra et al., 2011) emphasize the need for assessing specific contaminants like fluoride across different regions.

These findings underscore the importance of multifaceted approaches to monitor and manage groundwater quality.

3. Study Area: Pune District

• Located in western Maharashtra, Pune spans 15,642 sq. km, comprising 14 talukas and 1866 villages.

• It features diverse landscapes: Western Ghats, foothills, central plateau, and plains.

• Climate: Tropical monsoon, with rainfall ranging from 468 mm to 4659 mm.

• Hydrogeology: Includes weathered and fractured basalt formations. Water table depths vary from 0.09 to 20.10 meters seasonally.

• Some talukas, like Baramati and Purandhar, are semi-critical due to excessive groundwater extraction.

4. Methodology

A. Data Collection

• Sampling Sources: Dug wells, borewells, and community water points.

• Sampling Timing: Focused on pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods.

• GPS mapping: Used to geotag sampling locations.

B. Parameters Analyzed

• Physicochemical properties: pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Turbidity.

C. Sample Analysis

• Laboratory procedures will follow strict quality control (e.g., instrument calibration, replicate testing).

D. Data Analysis

• Statistical Analysis: Mean, median, SD, correlation, and t-tests to detect seasonal differences.

• GIS-based Spatial Mapping: To visualize contamination zones.

• Water Quality Index (WQI): To assess overall water quality compared to BIS (IS 10500: 2012) and WHO standards.

5. Regulatory Framework

• National and international standards guide permissible limits for drinking water.

• BIS (IS 10500:2012) specifies essential and desirable parameters to determine water’s potability in areas lacking alternative sources.

Conclusion

Monitoring pH, turbidity, and electrical conductivity is crucial for assessing groundwater quality in Pune City. These parameters provide insights into potential health risks associated with contaminated water supplies and inform necessary interventions for improving water quality. Regular testing against established standards ensures that groundwater remains safe for consumption and use within the community. Here are detailed observations from the survey and study: 1) pH Levels: Post-Monsoon: The pH ranged from 5.37 (Hadapsar) to 6.83 (Undri), showing acidic trends in several regions. This lower pH can lead to leaching of harmful metals from pipes and soil into water supplies. Pre-Monsoon: The pH was more stable, ranging from 6.21 (Undri) to 6.92 (Hadapsar), closer to the recommended range for potable water. 2) Turbidity Post-Monsoon: Certain areas, such as Bavdhan and Baner, exhibited increased turbidity levels (0.5 NTU), indicating potential contamination from urban runoff. Pre-Monsoon: Overall turbidity was lower compared to post-monsoon conditions, with Hadapsar showing the highest turbidity at 1.9 NTU. This reflects greater clarity but increased susceptibility to concentrated contaminants. 3) Electrical Conductivity (EC): Post-Monsoon: Undri recorded the highest EC values (3.5 µS/cm), signaling salinity concerns likely due to dissolved salts introduced during the rainy season. Locations such as Hadapsar had the lowest EC (0.082 µS/cm), indicating comparatively fresh water. Pre-Monsoon: Conductivity levels were significantly reduced across most locations, showing minimal salinity and dissolved ion content. Additional survey findings revealed: • A majority of households struggled with inconsistent water availability. • Common health issues included skin conditions and digestion-related diseases due to water quality. • Average water supply duration varied widely, with several households receiving less than six hours of water per day.

References

[1] Gautam, V. K., Kothari, M., Al-Ramadan, B. M., Singh, P. K., Upadhyay, H., Pande, C. B., Alshehri, F., & Yaseen, Z. M. (2024). Groundwater quality characterization using an integrated water quality index and multivariate statistical techniques. Published: February 23, 2024 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0294533 [2] Nihalani, S., Behede, S. N., & Meeruty, A. (2022). Groundwater quality assessment in proximity to solid waste dumpsite at Uruli Devachi in Pune, Maharashtra. Water Science and Technology, https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2022.172 [3] Kadam, A., Wagh, V., Jacobs, J. A., Patil, S., Pawar, N. J., Umrikar, B., Sankhua, R. N., & Kumar, S. (2021). Integrated approach for the evaluation of groundwater quality through hydro geochemistry and human health risk from Shivganga river basin, Pune, Maharashtra, India. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 1-23. Published: 17 August 2021 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021 [4] Mishra, S. S. P. (2013). Ground water information Pune district Maharashtra. Central Ground Water Board, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India. Retrieved from https://www.cgwb.gov.in/sites/default/files/2022-10/pune.pdf [5] Central Ground Water Board. (n.d.). Ground water information: Pune district. Retrieved from https://cgwb.gov.in/cgwbpnm/public/uploads/documents/1707983103489626080file.pdf [6] Central Ground Water Board. (n.d.). Ground water information: Pune district. Retrieved from https://cgwb.gov.in/cgwbpnm/public/uploads/documents/1707983103489626080file.pdf [7] Mishra, A. K., Arya, M., & Mathur, R. B. (2011). Assessment of pre-monsoon and post-monsoon ground water quality with special reference to fluoride concentration in Narwar, Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, India. Short Communication (NS-1). [8] Sayyed, M. R. G., Wagh, G. S., & Supekar, A. (2013). Assessment of impact on the groundwater quality due to urbanization by hydrogeochemical facies analysis in SE part of Pune city, India. Proceedings of the International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 3(2), 142-153

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Samiksha Bankar, Purva Dhoke, Shraddha Deshmukh. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.