ABSTRACT In the present work the Water samples were collected monthly from October 2010 to August 2011 in triplicate, totaling 165 water samples. The five sampling locations were: the Omkareshwar Ghat (OG), Maheshwar Ghat (MG1); Mandleshwar Ghat (MG2); Navda Todi (NT), and Punasa Dam (PD). The levels of As, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, Ti, Ta, V and Zn were measured by using atomic absorption spectroscopy. In addition, temperature, pH, electrical conductivity and total and fecal coliformes were determined. The statistical analysis considered a factorial treatment design; where factor A was the location point and factor B was sampling date. In addition, a multivariate technique looking for principal components was performed. Overall, the results confirmed that this stretch of the Narmada River is contaminated with heavy metals and other contaminants that might affect human health as well as the health of the ecosystem. Keywords: metals, metalloids, water quality INTRODUCTION The concern for water resources containing contaminants, such as heavy metals and toxic metalloids, that pose a threat to health, has increased worldwide. The presence of metals in water results from two independent factors. The first involving the weathering of soils and rocks with its products being transported by air and water, and the second involving a variety of anthropogenic activities that have created a societal health risk in rivers that receive a substantial amount of waste, as it is the case of the Narmada. The hypothesis of this study was that the Narmada has not escaped the effects of pollution, and that in synergy with the recurrent droughts that affect the state, its polluted condition has severely increased the problem. In order to quantify the severity of the pollution, metal and metalloid concentrations as well as other quality parameters such as coliforms were determined. The results obtained here will be beneficial for preventive as well as correctional schemes to the inhabitants of the area and in the design of a basin management program towards recovery of this river’s ecosystem. Furthermore, these results will be important and necessary to be included in ongoing health-related programs in the East and West Nimar parts of Madhya Pradesh. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study area is located within the East and West Nimar Parts of Madhya Pradesh, Five sites along the part of the Narmada River were selected for sample collection. Water samples were collected monthly by triplicate, from October 2010 to August 2011. Therefore, a total of 165 water samples were collected. Point 1 was Omkareshwar Ghat (Latitude– 21 o 14’25” N and Longitude– 76 o 09’45”E). This point will be referred to as (OG). Point 2 was Maheshwar Ghat (Latitude–22° 11’ N and longitude 75° 37’ E) This point will be referred as (MG1) Sampling point 3 was Mandleshwar Ghat (longitude- E 76 o 15’ and latitude N21 o ).This point will be referred as (MG2). Point 4 was Navda Todi (longitude E 76 o 20' and latitude N 22 o 33'). This point will be referred as (NT). Point 5 was Punasa Dam . Latitude-22 o 17'00 and Longitude-76 o 28’00”. This point will be referred as (PD) 1 . Health Hazards Associated With Heavy Metal Contamination With Reference To Narmada River At Nimar Region Of Madhya Pradesh Bhavana Ayachit Vibha Shrivastava , Praveen Jain 1 Sagar Institute of Research & Technology- Excellence, Bhopal*. 2 Sagar Institute of Research & Technology- Excellence, Bhopal International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT) Vol. 1 Issue 6, August - 2012 ISSN: 2278-0181 1 www.ijert.org