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Application of water quality index, synthetic pollution index, and geospatial tools for the assessment of drinking water quality in the Indus Delta, Pakistan

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Abstract

Seawater intrusion into the Indus Delta, Pakistan, has spoiled groundwater aquifers in the area. In the delta, the groundwater is widely used by residents for drinking. Considering the gravity of the problem, and concerns expressed by affected communities, the present study was conducted to assess and map the quality of groundwater, based on the physico-chemical properties of 180 samples, using two standard numerical indices, geospatial and statistical techniques. The analysis of water samples revealed that several parameters exceeded the drinking water quality guidelines suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO). The water quality index (WQI) identified that about 1.7%, 1.1%, 27.8%, 42.8%, and 26.6% of the water samples were excellent, good, poor, very poor, and unsuitable for drinking purposes, respectively. However, the synthetic pollution index (SPI) ranked the quality of 2.8%, 2.2%, 23.9%, 41.7%, and 29.4% as suitable, slightly polluted, moderately polluted, highly polluted, and unsuitable, respectively. Though the numerical model’s input is different, the proportionate ranking revealed a fair correlation (R2 = 0.75) between the outcomes of both indices. The results of the numerical indices and the interpolated geographical information system (GIS) mapping revealed that the quality of groundwater in most of the delta does not meet WHO guidelines for potable water. Hence, it is recommended that the groundwater of the delta should be properly treated before its use for domestic purposes. The study highlights the significance of using numerical indices and geospatial techniques for water quality evaluation in the Indus Delta and similar deltaic regions throughout the world.

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Acknowledgments

This research was accomplished under the research project, titled, “Climate Change: Assessing the Impact of Seawater Intrusion on Soil, Water, and Environment in Indus Delta Using GIS and Remote Sensing Tools”. The project was funded by the USPCAS-W (U.S. - Pakistan Centers for Advanced Studies in Water), at Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro. The financial support and encouragement from the USPCAS-W, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, Pakistan are highly acknowledged. We are also grateful to Dr. Rick Bereit, Professor, The University of Utah, USA for his constructive comments and valuable suggestions regarding improvement of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Campus, Khairpur Mir’s, Pakistan

    Ghulam Shabir Solangi

  2. U.S.-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Water (USPCAS-W), Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, Pakistan

    Altaf Ali Siyal & Muhammad Munir Babar

  3. Department of Land and Water Management, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Pakistan

    Altaf Ali Siyal

  4. National Centre of Excellence in Analytical Chemistry, Jamshoro, Pakistan

    Pirah Siyal

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  1. Ghulam Shabir Solangi
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Solangi, G.S., Siyal, A.A., Babar, M.M. et al. Application of water quality index, synthetic pollution index, and geospatial tools for the assessment of drinking water quality in the Indus Delta, Pakistan. Environ Monit Assess 191, 731 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-019-7861-x

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