Geospatial Assessment of Irrigation Water Quality in Multan Tehsil: A Comprehensive Analysis

Abstract

Water pollution and scarcity threaten sustenance and quality of life. The water usage for irrigation necessitates its content evaluation to ensure safe application and to meet high productivity goals. Drawing upon prior reports addressing salinity concerns in diverse agricultural regions of Pakistan, our study focused on assessing the risks in the Multan Tehsil of Punjab. To accomplish this, well water samples (n=383) were examined for parameters such as electrical conductivity (EC), sodium absorption ratio (SAR), and Residual Sodium Carbonates (RSC). Laboratory analyses indicated elevated levels of selected parameters in water samples from southwestern sites, with 21.4% exceeding SAR limits, 28.7% surpassing RSC thresholds, and 66.1% crossing permissible EC limits. The underlying anthropogenic causes of groundwater pollution include an increased rate of run-off, leachate percolation, reduced infiltration, inadequate recharge of well water, and urban land expansion. Rather than relying on end-of-pipe management strategies, it is recommended to prioritize source water treatment