Hydrogeochemistry and Water Quality Index in the Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Drinking Uses

Abstract

The present investigation is aimed at understanding the hydrogeochemical parameters and development of a water quality index (WQI) to assess groundwater quality of a rural tract in the northwest of Bardhaman district of West Bengal, India. Groundwater occurs at shallow depths with the maximum flow moving southeast during pre-monsoon season and south in post-monsoon period. The physicochemical analysis of groundwater samples shows the major ions in the order of HCO3>Ca>Na>Mg>Cl>SO4 and HCO3>Ca>Mg>Na>Cl>SO4 in pre- and post-monsoon periods, respectively. The groundwater quality is safe for drinking, barring the elevated iron content in certain areas. Based on WQI values, groundwater falls into one of three categories: excellent water, good water, and poor water. The high value of WQI is because of elevated concentration of iron and chloride. The majority of the area is occupied by good water in pre-monsoon and poor water in post-monsoon period.

Assessment of the impact of abattoir effluent on the quality of groundwater in a residential area of Omu-Aran, Nigeria

“…Groundwater is the commonest potable source around the world [3]. The chemical composition of groundwater is an indicator of how suitable it is for the consumption, for human beings, animals and plants [4]. Water quality refers to the amount of physical impurities, dissolved gases, chemicals, and pathogen in a given sample of water [5].…”

Assessment of irrigation water quality by a Geographic Information System–Multicriteria Decision Analysis‐based model: A case study from Ankara, Turkey

“…For example, Karakuş () used 17 different criteria, consisting of main ion, trace element, and pollution parameters to generate water quality index. However, Batabyal and Chakraborty () did not prefer sodium ion as a criterion to calculate WQI in their study. Bora and Goswami () have developed a different water quality index classification and WQI range value.…”

“…Nowadays, determining the areas having high water quality is the most important factor for urban development and water management. Water quality is a measure of the suitability of physical, chemical, and biological parameters depending on the intended use of water (Batabyal & Chakraborty, ; Sun, Xia, Xu, Guo, & Sun, ). Many criteria and classification related to water quality have been developed by different researchers and institutions (TSI, ; WHO, ).…”

Evaluation of Water Quality and Plankton for Mahmoudia Canal in Northern West of Egypt

“…The standard allows able value (Si) for each parameter was taken from two criteria Egyptian drinking water quality standards, (EWQS, 2007). The computed WQI values are classified into five categories: Excellent water (WQI < 50); good water (WQI=50-100); poor water (WQI=100-200); very poor water (WQI=200-300); and water unsuitable for drinking (WQI > 300) (Batabyal and Chakraborty, 2015).…”