A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF VATADAHOSALLI LAKE AND DANDIGANAHALLI DAM

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate and compare the water quality of two prominent water bodies,Vatadahosalli Lake and Dandiganahalli Dam, located in the region. The assessment is basedon extensive data collected from three monitoring sites at each water body, covering variousphysicochemical and microbiological parameters over a period of one year. The data revealssignificant variations in water quality parameters across the sites and water bodies.Vatadahosalli Lake exhibited relatively higher turbidity levels, with values ranging from 0 to42 NTU, indicating the presence of suspended solids. Dandiganahalli Dam, on the other hand,showed elevated levels of dissolved solids, ranging from 87 to 298 mg/L, suggesting theinfluence of anthropogenic activities or geological factors. The pH values fluctuated between6.7 and 8.55 across both water bodies, indicating slightly alkaline conditions. Total hardness,a measure of calcium and magnesium ions, varied from 24.02 to 112.1 mg/L in VatadahosalliLake and 36.03 to 107 mg/L in Dandiganahalli Dam, reflecting the impact of mineralcomposition and water sources. Microbiological parameters, such as total coliforms, fecalcoliforms, and E. coli, were detected at several sites, indicating potential contamination fromsewage or agricultural runoff. The presence of heavy metals like iron, copper, and lead wasalso observed, albeit at varying concentrations