Hydrogeological and hydrochemical framework of regional aquifer system in Kali-Ganga sub-basin, India

The central Ganga Basin is one of the major groundwater reservoirs in India . The Kali-Ganga sub-basin is a micro watershed of the central Ganga Basin, containing a number of productive aquifers. A detailed hydrogeological inv estigation was carried out, which reveals the occurrence of a single-tier a quifer system down to 163 m bgl (metres below ground level), but at places it is interleaved with clay layers; thus imparting it a two- to three-tier aquifer system. These aquifers are unconfined to confined in disposition. T he transmissivity, storage coefficient and hydraulic conductivity are deter mined as 2178 m(2)/day, 1.12 x 10(-5) and 120 m/day, respectively. The grou ndwater of the basin is fresh, of an alkali-bicarbonate type and is suitabl e for irrigation and domestic use. However, in certain areas, extensive agr icultural activities, and domestic and industrial effluents have caused som e deterioration of groundwater quality. This study contains data of where t he concentration of Fe, Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni are higher than the permissible l imits, which may be hazardous to public health.