Assessment of
drinking water suitability of Vellayani freshwater lake South India
Sasidharan Sonu, Pattathil Vijykumar and Jaya D.S.
Res. J. Chem. Environ.; Vol. 29(12); 81-88;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/2912rjce081088; (2025)
Abstract
Water is a vital component in the origin of life. The present study was undertaken
to evaluate the physico-chemical and microbiological characteristics of Vellayani
fresh water Lake located at south west coast of Kerala in South India. An assessment
of heavy metal contamination in the lake is carried out. For the study, five representative
samples were collected from Vellayani fresh water lake during the month of August
2024 (Post Monsoon season). The physico-chemical characteristics of water were analysed
following the standard procedures in APHA (2024). The bacteriological quality was
analyzed using the standard procedures (MPN method). The concentration of heavy
metals was detected in AAS.
The results show that the recorded values for turbidity, total coliforms, heavy
metals like Fe and Mn were above the drinking water quality standard (BIS, 2012)4.
Based on the Canadian drinking water quality standard (1992)7, concentration of
hydrogen sulphide in the water samples also shows above the permissible limit. The
study reveals that anthropogenic activities like sewage discharge and agriculture
cause a high degree of pollution in the Vellayani freshwater lake. The high level
of microbial contamination may be due to the leaching of waste water from nearest
soak pit/septic tanks.
