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Abstract: Undeniably water is of utmost importance while considering basic necessities. This investigation emphasized on the hydrochemical evaluation and drinking water quality assessment in District Jacobabad located in lower Indus plain, Pakistan. Certainly world's largest irrigation system emerged from Indus Basin, which is underlain by well transmissive aquifer resulting in higher water table. Water supply schemes with their water sources from ground water and surface water provide piped water for drinking purpose to the community. Water samples were collected from all the forty eight supply schemes of which thirty two were found nonfunctional. Analytical parameters were compared with World Health Organization (WHO) and Pakistan Water Quality Standards but adversely substantial samples were found nonpotable. Alkalinity, bicarbonate and nitrate met the standard safe limits while values for EC, TDS, hardness, cations and anions exceeded the limits in numerous samples. SPSS and ArcGIS softwares were used for statistical analysis and spatial distribution of parameters. Hydrochemical facies were developed and suitability assessment of water resources was examined for agricultural use. The ground water type was classified as Na-HCO3 type with high salinity and it required treatment prior to irrigation. The proposed research exhibited the probable drinking water contamination sources and it demanded instant actions to further protect the valuable drinking water resources in District Jacobabad.
Keywords: water quality assessment, water supply schemes, drinking and agriculture, arsenic, ArcGIS, Pakistan
DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20181102.2747
1 Introduction
Water is critical for human survival. Provision of safe drinking water is the fundamental challenge confronted across globe. 30% of global fresh water resource is contributed by groundwater. Compared to surface water, ground water is nontoxic and immaculate and necessitates minimal treatment[1]. However, natural perturbations have resulted in an unsustainable condition on ground water resource. Drinking water quality evaluation is one of the most significant aspects in groundwater studies. The hydrochemical investigation encompasses quality of water which is adequate for drinking, agricultural and industrial purposes.
Inadequate management of water supply systems explicitly causes the quality of piped drinking water to deteriorate below the adequate levels and leads to severe health risks[2]. Hydrochemical evaluation is used to portray and classify the relevant water-rock interfaces, which are accountable for the poor groundwater quality. Additionally, the chemical parameters of groundwater play a significant role in sorting and evaluating...