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Impact assessment of on-site sanitation system on groundwater quality in alluvial settings: A case study from Lucknow city in North India

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Abstract

The present case study has been undertaken to investigate the impact of on-site sanitation on groundwater quality in alluvial settings in Lucknow City in India. The groundwater samples have been collected in the areas of Lucknow City where the on-site sanitation systems have been implemented. The groundwater samples have been analyzed for the major physicochemical parameters and fecal coliform. The results of analysis reveal that none of the groundwater samples exceeded the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) limits for all the parameters. Fecal coliform was not found in majority of the samples including those samples which were very close to the septic tank. The study area has a thick alluvium cover as a top layer which acts as a natural barrier for groundwater contamination from the on-site sanitation system. The t test has been performed to assess the seasonal effect on groundwater quality. The statistical t test implies that there is a significant effect of season on groundwater quality in the study area.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the CPHEEO-WHO for supporting the research study. The authors also thank the Director, CSIR-NEERI, Nagpur, for providing the necessary infrastructure.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Water Technology and Management Division, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), Nehru Marg, Nagpur, 440020, India

    Chandrakant Jangam, S. Ramya Sanam, M. K. Chaturvedi, C. Padmakar, Paras R. Pujari & Pawan K. Labhasetwar

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  1. Chandrakant Jangam
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  2. S. Ramya Sanam
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  3. M. K. Chaturvedi
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  4. C. Padmakar
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  5. Paras R. Pujari
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  6. Pawan K. Labhasetwar
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Correspondence to Paras R. Pujari.

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Jangam, C., Ramya Sanam, S., Chaturvedi, M.K. et al. Impact assessment of on-site sanitation system on groundwater quality in alluvial settings: A case study from Lucknow city in North India. Environ Monit Assess 187, 614 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4797-7

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