Seasonal Analysis of Physicochemical Properties in Neyyar River, Kerala

Life on earth is impossible without water, because water is known as the source of life. Rivers, as water bodies, are vital for all living beings to live and prosper. There are forty-four rivers present in Kerala, of which the Neyyar River is located in Thiruvananthapuram district. It originates in Agastya Mala, flows through Neyyattinkara taluk and reaches the Arabian Sea near Poovar. Five sites along the river stretch, namely Arattu Kadavu, Arakkunnu, Vadakkekotta, Alatharackal and Panchikattu Kadavu, were selected for the study. Water from the Neyyar River is used for irrigation and drinking purposes. Therefore, it is necessary to check the purity of the water. Thus, the study focused on the present status of the Neyyar River. Physicochemical parameters of the Neyyar River water, such as water temperature, pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, total hardness and sodium content, were analysed. The analysis shows some deviation in parameters such as turbidity, electrical conductivity and total hardness when compared with drinking water standards.