No abstract

Fluoride is a significant parameter of water quality and its consumption less or more than the permissible limits in drinking water is detrimental to human health. Therefore, an analysis of groundwater sources in rural areas of Quetta was carried out. Altogether 32 samples were collected from Borewells and Tubewells from Kuchlak, Mariabad, Hazarganji, and Hanna Valley. Samples were subjected to the examination of physicochemical parameters using standard procedures. All the samples were transparent; pH was in the range of 6.4-11.2, Electrical Conductivity (EC) varied from 342-784 µs/cm, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) ranged between 219-502 mg/L Total Hardness (TH) varied from 140-680 mg/L and Franged from 0.17-3.2 mg/L. The comparison of estimated values showed that all the samples were exceeding the limits prescribed by WHO. Correlation studies showed that pH and EC were positively correlated with F- . Fluoride showed a strong positive correlation with TDS and a negative correlation with TH. This research study indicates that 75% of groundwater samples had Fconcentration greater than the allowable limits of WHO. A reliable monitoring program is needed to manage the drinking water quality and health of the population.

The original version of this paper was published with error. The Government of Pakistan published a new political map which the authors', unfortunately, forget to incorporate in this paper. According to Pakistan law it is forbidden to publish pervious map. So, it is requested to replace Fig. 1 with the new figure on an urgent basis.The original article has been corrected.

The present study aimed to assess the quality of groundwater close to functional brick kilns of the Loralai district of Balochistan using the water quality index (WQI) Model. 15 samples were collected from the bore wells and tube wells situated near brick kilns. To appraise the WQI groundwater samples were subjected to an extensive analysis of physicochemical such as color, odor, taste, pH, Electrical conductivity (EC), Total dissolved solids (TDS), Total hardness (TH), Sulfate (SO4), Chloride (Cl), Fluoride (F), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), & Arsenic (As). GIS was used to map the sampling location. The descriptive statistical approach and correlation matrix were successfully applied to study the variation and determining the interdependence of various parameters in the Loralai district of Balochistan. Based on the Water Quality Index (WQI) results in the majority of the value of the samples ranged from 48-204 falling in poor water quality category. The assessment proclaims that groundwater sources surrounding brick kilns need a reliable degree of treatment before the consumption of end-users and should be protected from contamination in the future. Contribution/ Originality: This research will serve as a pioneer study of groundwater quality of Loralai District Balochistan. It uses Mathematical models such as WQI, and descriptive Statistical analysis such as correlation Matrix to evaluate the water quality and level of contamination around brick kilns.