Total Hardness (TH)
TH is mainly caused by the concentration of calcium and magnesium dissolved in groundwater (Marko et al., 2014). In a study area, TH range between 240 to 1600 mg/L with a mean of 653.16 mg/L as CaCO3. About 60% of the sample locations exceed the desirable limit recommended by WHO (2011) and BIS (2012). Higher concentrations of calcium and magnesium could cause the undesirable limit of hardness in groundwater. In a study area, 2.79 Sq.km area was recorded as acceptable, 297.91 Sq.km area most permissible and 366.25 Sq.km area (Fig.3d) highly affected due to excess concentration of hardness in groundwater for drinking purpose.