A GIS-Based Comparative Analysis of Ground Water Quality in Administrative Towns of Lahore City (2014–2024)

Abdullah Riaz; Syed Muhammad Usman; Muhammad Hamid Chaudhary; Aeman Samad; Qudsia Gulzar; Muhammad Ilyas

Authors

Abdullah Riaz Centre for Geographical Information Systems, University of the Punjab, Lahore
Syed Muhammad Usman Centre for Geographical Information Systems, University of the Punjab, Lahore
Muhammad Hamid Chaudhary Centre for Geographical Information Systems, University of the Punjab, Lahore
Aeman Samad Centre for Geographical Information System, University of the Punjab, Lahore
Qudsia Gulzar Centre for Geographical Information Systems, University of the Punjab, Lahore
Muhammad Ilyas Centre for Geographical Information Systems, University of the Punjab, Lahore

Keywords:

Comparative Analysis, Entropy Weighted Model, Groundwater Quality, GIS

Abstract

Amidst insufficiency of water reserves, groundwater plays a crucial role in meeting freshwater requirements for households, parks, and horticulture in Lahore city. However, concerns regarding groundwater quality and its associated risk to human health and the environment have intensified due to factors such as rapid urbanization, industrial growth, and over extraction. Despite different monitoring efforts, the regional variability and uncertainty in groundwater quality necessitate more sophisticated assessment approaches to support optimal decision-making. The purpose of this study is to perform a comparative analysis between traditional Groundwater Quality Index (GQI) evaluation methods and entropy-weighted models. Additionally, it aims to analyze groundwater quality in tubewells across administrative towns in Lahore by utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS) and advanced geospatial techniques. The study incorporates groundwater quality data such as pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Electrical Conductivity (EC), and heavy metal concentrations into a GIS-based spatial analytic framework. By taking uncertainty in water quality classification into account, both traditional and entropy information theory offer a more adaptable and practical evaluation of groundwater suitability than the other GQI frameworks. The findings of this study show that groundwater quality varies significantly around Lahore, with certain regions showing contamination levels above acceptable bounds. High-risk areas are identified by the study, where water quality metrics point to possible health issues and highlight the necessity of focused measures.

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