Evaluation of groundwater quality in Ramanathapuram district, using water quality index (WQI)

Abstract

In Ramanathapuram area, the fundamental hotspot for drinking and different purposes, for the most part, relies upon groundwater since the surface water is least and the stream water additionally not accessible during the storm season. The primary point of the work is to find the water quality index (WQI) in Ramanathapuram area by utilizing Geographical Information System (GIS). Around forty-six water specimens were gathered from the wells and examined to evaluate the groundwater quality in the investigation region. Water quality examinations of similar specimens were done for pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), fluoride (F⁻), Fe, ammonia (NH₃), phosphate (PO), nitrate (${\text{NO}}_3^{-}$), nitrite (NO₂), alkalinity and chloride (Cl⁻). The water quality map for the study area was generated based on the results of forty-six observation wells. Based on the results, the study area is classified into five different categories as excellent, good, poor, very poor and water unsuitable for consumption. In this manner, continual checking of groundwater is important to save the groundwater in the future.