Water is one of the major components of environmental resources. Water quality has become a major concern due to ever increasing human developmental activities that over exploit and pollute the water resources. A study on physicochemical and biological characters of river water and its suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes was carried out in Vaigai River of Tamilnadu. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used throughout the research. The overall purpose of this study is to find out some mitigating measures for improving water quality of Vaigai River. Specifically, the objectives of the study are included: to find out the physical parameters such as temperature, colour, turbidity, electrical conductivity, suspended solids, dissolved solids and total solids of the water in Vaigai River, to examine the pH, dissolved oxygen, biological and chemical oxygen demand, carbonate alkalinity, bicarbonate alkalinity of the water, to experiment and ascertain the dissolved nutrients of the water such as Calcium, Magnesium, iron, Sodium, Chloride, Sulphates, Silicates, Phosphates, Nitrates, Potassium and organic carbon. To know the biological parameters of the water such as Phytoplanktons, Zooplanktons, Primary productivity, Aquatic insects Benthos and Fishes. Representative of three samples were collected from Kunnur (Theni Dt), Vaigai Dam and Anaipatti. The samples were analyzed for Physical parameter like temperature, turbidity, electrical conductivity and total dissolved soilds by temperature sensitive probe, turbidity tube method, electrometric method respectively. Chemical parameters such as pH, CO2, alkalinity, Ca, Mg and Cl were analyzed using Titrimetric method, SO4, NO3, PO4 and Fe were analyzed using Spectrophotometric method, Na was analyzed using Flame photometric method and DO was analyzed by Winkler’s method following the guidelines of WHO and ISI. Biological parameters like Phytoplanktons and Zooplanktons were analyzed by Lackey’s drop and Sedgwick Rafter cell methods respectively. Most of the parameters in Vaigai Dam and Kunnur lie within the permissible limits whereas in Anaipatti sampling point parameters such as temperature, electrical conductivity, suspended solids, total solids and magnesium were found to be higher than the WHO, BIS and APHA permissible limit. Hence it is therefore needful steps to be taken to ensure effective water resources management of Anaipatti sampling point of the River Vaigai. From this study, it is inferred that the river water is generally potable after the required water treatment.

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