Vol. 14, Issue 1 (2026)

Groundwater serves as the primary source of drinking water in rural and semi-arid regions of India, including Madurai district in Tamil Nadu. This study evaluates the physico-chemical quality of groundwater from five selected locations in Madurai district to assess their suitability for drinking purposes. Water samples were collected from Karuvanoor (canal water), Manthikulam (well water and bore water), Salwarpattai (pond water), and Kodimangalam (aqua distilled water) and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), calcium (Ca²?), magnesium (Mg²?), alkalinity, acidity, chloride, sulphate, and organoleptic properties following APHA (2012) and BIS (IS 3025) standard methods. Results were compared with BIS IS 10500:2012 drinking water quality standards. The pH of samples ranged from 5.35 to 7.48, with two samples (A3, A5) showing acidic values below the acceptable range. Total alkalinity varied from 500 to 4000 mg/L, with samples A1, A2, and A4 exceeding the BIS permissible limit of 600 mg/L, indicating potential for corrosion control issues. Total hardness ranged from 150 to 300 mg/L (as CaCO?), with sample A1 (150 mg/L) within acceptable limits and others approaching or exceeding the 200 mg/L desirable limit. Chloride concentrations (0.15-6.80 mg/L) and sulphate (0.11 mg/L) remained within safe limits. Taste and odour thresholds indicated acceptable organoleptic quality for most samples. Overall, while most samples met basic drinking water standards, elevated alkalinity and hardness in selected locations necessitate appropriate water treatment (softening and de-alkalinization) before supply. This study provides a baseline dataset for groundwater quality monitoring in Madurai district and highlights the importance of regular surveillance to ensure safe drinking water supply to local communities.