Abstract

A STUDY ON QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF BHOUMA JALA W.S.R. TO GROUND AND SURFACE WATER AROUND COAL BASED THERMAL POWER PLANT AT NANDIKUR, UDUPI DISTRICT, KARNATAKA

Dr. Sowmya Bhat*, Dr. Yogeesha Acharya, Dr. B. R. Dodamani

Abstract

Water is the most essential component of life and is vital for sustenance. There can be no state of positive health & well-being without safe water. In recent years, the global energy demand has increased with the advances in industrialization. Coal combustion from thermal power plants contributes to 55.32% of the total electricity generation in India. Major pollutants due to coal-based power generation include sulphur dioxide, carbon & nitrogen compounds, non-combustible hydrocarbons, heavy metals and fly ash. The methods of fly ash disposal result in metal contamination of surface and ground water resources. Heavy metals found in fly ash when mixed with water are hazardous for living organisms and they decrease primary productivity. Lack of safe and wholesome water supply affects health of the community. In Ayurveda, jala is given utmost importance in both health and disease conditions. When polluted, it results in janapadodhwamsa as jala is a common atmospheric factor upon which livelihood of the community depends. It is important to assess the quality of water before using it. One such attempt has been made through this study to assess the level of impurities present in surface and ground water sources around thermal power plant area. Aims and Objectives: 1. To study the different aspects of water conceptually in Ayurvedic perspective. 2. To assess the level of impurity present in ground and surface water sources in the vicinity of thermal power plant and compare with Ayurvedic and modern standards. Methodology: Water samples (1litre each) was freshly collected from well, bore well and tank at a distance of 1km, 2km and 3km from the power plant area and taken to laboratory. Samples were subjected to physical, chemical & microbiological tests and compared with standard values (BIS: 10500-1993 standards), and the quality of water was assessed. Observation is compared with ayurvedic parameters of potable water such as- nirgandha, avyakta rasa, shuchi, sheetala, accha, laghu, hridya; and reasoning is drawn by Ayurvedic understanding. Result: The study showed that surface and ground water sources present at the proximity of thermal power plant were contaminated by indiscriminate disposal of fly ash and effluents. When compared with standards there was depletion in the water qualities like colour, odour, turbidity, hardness, conductivity, pH and TDS. Statistically significant results were shown in physico chemical parameters like dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH and TDS values. Ayurvedic parameters of potable water was lacking in most of the samples. All samples were unfit for drinking and most of the samples were unsuitable for domestic use.

Keywords: Bhouma jala, jala guna, ground and surface water, water quality, thermal power plant.