Prevalence of Pollution in Surface and Ground Water Sources in the Rural Areas of Satara Region, Maharashtra, India

Water quality assessment in four different villages in the Satara region of State of Maharashtra, based on the physico-chemical and microbiological investigations are presented. Results indicate that drought prone areas and sites exposed to domestic or municipal wastes are most heavily polluted. Major water problems are due to fecal and non-fecal contamination, high TDS, conductivity and salt content. The well waters were moderately poor in quality as compared to the hand pump water sources, which exhibited more metal and salt enrichments. Remote sites viz, springs and lakes, however, exhibited a better water quality in terms of optimum physico-chemical parameters and comparatively lesser fecal and non-fecal contamination. Use of water for drinking or agricultural purposes from such wells and hand pumps without treatment may expose population to higher health risk.