RESEARCH ARTICLE WATER QUALITY INDEX (WQI) OF THREE HISTORICAL LAKES IN MAHOBA DISTRICT OF BUNDELKHAND REGION, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

The area Bundelkhand region comes under semi arid climate with low precipitation (900 mm/yr) and higher evaporation rate (1800 mm/yr). Surface water is the main source of water for domestic, irrigation and other purposes for local inhabitants. After treatment, the surface water is supplying to various areas through pipelines for municipal uses also. So the surface water is very much valuable resource for this region. The present works have been carried out on the three historical lakes of Mahoba district of Uttar Pradesh. These lakes are nearly thousand year old and come under the category of sacred lakes and are unique in terms of religious and ecological significance. Eutrophication, anthropogenic pressure, holy rituals and tourism have been the major factors which have contributed to its damage, deterioration and degradation with a consequent adverse impact on the lake water quality. For the present work five sampling sites were identified in each lake and the water quality was analyzed for physico-chemical characteristics (Temperature, pH, EC, Nitrate, DO, Turbidity, TS, TDS, TSS, Fluoride, Total Hardness, BOD and Iron) on a monthly basis over a period of six months. Water Quality index (WQI) indicate that the lakes are moderately and slightly polluted and may not be used for domestic purpose without treatment but may used for irrigation.