Assessment Of Groundwater Quality Index For Agriculture And Domestic Purpose Of Taluka Sehwan, District Jamshoro

Athar Ali Panhwar; Abdul Latif Qureshi; Syeda Sara Hassan; Mahdi Zeeshan

Authors

Athar Ali Panhwar USPCAS-W Mehran University of Engineering & Technology, Jamshoro
Abdul Latif Qureshi USPCAS-W Mehran University of Engineering & Technology, Jamshoro
Syeda Sara Hassan USPCAS-W Mehran University of Engineering & Technology, Jamshoro
Mahdi Zeeshan USPCAS-W Mehran University of Engineering & Technology, Jamshoro

Keywords:

Groundwater, Sehwan, Manchar Lake, Water Quality Index (WQI), Irrigation Indices, Spatial Analysis

Abstract

Introduction/Importance of study

Groundwater has become an important source of freshwater around the world, used for a variety of reasons such as home usage, agricultural irrigation, and industrial applications.

Novelty statement

This study provides a novel solution by using the water quality index (WQI) and GIS-based Kriging analysis to comprehensively assess and spatially visualize groundwater quality in Taluka Sehwan, Sindh, Pakistan, addressing the critical issue of contamination from Manchar Lake.

Material and Method

Thirty groundwater samples were collected from Taluka Sehwan, Sindh, Pakistan, and sixteen parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and total dissolved salts (TDS), were analyzed in the lab. The water quality index (WQI) and irrigation indices (SAR, SSP, MH, and PI) were calculated, and the results were spatially analyzed using the GIS-based Kriging method.

Result and Discussion

The WQI in the study area ranges from 34.53 to 213.362, with only 13% of the water deemed good, 23% poor, 7% very poor, 30% unsuitable, and 27% unfit. The overall WQI indicates that the groundwater is unsafe and non-potable, except for a few localized pockets (13%) in the northern side. SSP was categorized as unsure (83.33%) or poor (13.33%) for irrigation. SAR values indicated that 10% of the water is excellent, 46.67% good, 33% allowable, and 10% unsuitable for agriculture. MH and PI indices showed 70% of the water as excellent and 30% as safe. The water quality is poor, with moderate to good irrigation indices suitable for 70-75% of the area. Spatial analyses reveal low concentrations in the north and high concentrations in the south, highlighting the area's heterogeneity.

Concluding Remarks

The policy should prioritize monitoring pollution, research on sources, and mitigation methods to prevent irreversible harm to the local ecosystem and communities.

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