The concentration of 210Po and 210Pb has been measured by the chemical deposition method in surface water samples from the major rivers of coastal Karnataka: Kali, Sharavathi and Netravathi. Measurements
of 210Po and 210Pb in surface water from these rivers are important because river water is the main source of potable water in this region due to inadequate supply of treated water.

Freshwater resources are fundamental for maintaining human health, agricultural production, economic activity as well as critical ecosystem functions. As populations and economies grow, new constraints on water resources are appearing, raising questions about limits to water availability. Such resource questions are not new.

North-east Algeria benefits from a Mediterranean and semi-arid climate. The surface water resource is a factor restricting the economic development of the country. Within the framework of the National Water

Surface water and groundwater samples of certain locations namely Kallambella, Bugudanahalli, Maidala, Honnudike, Kunigal, Kadaba and Hebbur, situated around Tumkur were assessed in the month of September 2008 for pH, EC and heavy metals Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Zn and Ni. The pH vales of surface waters were in alkaline range of 7.8-8.2 and are well within safe limits for crop production.