The investigation was carried out to assess the surface water quality regarding drinking and irrigational purposes. The studies were conducted in the year 2006-07 at Varanasi. The samples were collected from open well, bore well and hand pump from four different zones on the basis of the water lifting for potability and domestic use by residents. The parameters analysed were pH, alkalinity, free CO₂, acidity, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, hardness and calcium, magnesium, chloride contents. The values of some parameters in the study were found to be high as compared to permissible limits, which may have adverse effect on diverse uses of water.