Assessing Drinking Water Quality in El-Oued, South-East Algeria, Utilizing the Groundwater Pollution Index (GPI) and the Synthetic Pollution Index (SPI) model

Abstract

To assess the suitability of deep groundwater in El-Oued for drinking purposes and quantify its hydrochemical characteristics, a study was conducted on 22 boreholes. The alteration and dissolution of carbonates, evaporates, salts, and partly silicates, ion exchange, and evaporation are the main hydrogeochemical progressions leading to water salinization. The combination of these processes, in an environment conducive to the concentration of dissolved elements, has positively contributed to the evolution of the salinity of these waters in the research region. The results of Groundwater Pollution Index (GPI) show that 18.18%, 54.54%, and 27.27% were weakly polluted, moderately, and highly polluted for drinking consumption, respectively. The examination of the Synthetic Pollution Index (SPI) findings indicates that 9.09% were deemed potable, while 36.36% exhibited weak pollution, 36.36% displayed moderate pollution, and 18.18% were classified as highly polluted for drinking purposes. Potable water sources are generally limited and are located in the northeast and in the vicinity of the city of Ourmes in the study zone according to the spatial distribution maps of GPI model and SPI model.