Suitability Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Drinking Purpose by Physicochemical Characterization and Water Quality Index from Haveli Region India

1. Introduction

Water is the most precious and prime natural resource for the socio-economic development of the nation. Aquatic resource is one of the furthermost delicate and sensitive; hence an in-depth understanding of the spatio-temporal setting is necessary for the sustainable development (Foster et al., 2002; Wakode et al., 2014). Apart from this, the threat of contamination of this precious resource is increasing day by day due to both geogenic and anthropogenic sources (Jat et al., 2009; Khan et al., 2015; Wagh et al., 2018; Kale and Pawar, 2017). As a result the availability and supply of safe and pure drinking water is the major challenge for the developers and planners.

India, being the monsoonal country, surface water becomes scars especially in summer months and hence dependability on groundwater increases for drinking and domestic purposes particularly in rural areas (Tiwari et al., 2015). While, the activities such as rapid urbanization, industrialization, green revolution and increasing population are forcing to change the physicochemical characteristics of groundwater besides the natural soil water interaction process (Rubia et al., 2015). The water quality also varies with the depth of groundwater table, seasonal changes, and deposition of dissolved salts (Gaikwad et al., 2019; Babiker et al., 2007) depending upon sources of the salt and sub-surface environment. Thus, there is a swift change in groundwater characteristics, the risk of health has increased potentially (Thivya et al., 2015; Hussain et al. 2017; Wagh et al., 2019). Along with water borne diseases, the health issues arising due to water contamination are on hike (Cheepi, 2012). Consumption of contaminated groundwater further indulge in affecting human health resulting methemoglobinemia (blue babies) due to high nitrates, sulphate may induce diarrhoea and intestinal disorders, hardness relates to the kidney functioning disorders etc. Hence there is a prior need to assess the quality of groundwater as well as extent of pollution since once deteriorated, then it is truly difficult to recreate its original form and even may take years to get it normalized (Kale et al., 2010; Tamma et al., 2015). To control the groundwater pollution is very challenging and entirely depends on the geo-environmental set up and land use practices. Hence, the groundwater quality assessment has become an important task to understand its suitability for drinking purpose as well as for resource management.

The study area is located near Pune city and experiencing rapid urbanization and industrialization with consequential necessity of water. However, the deterioration of waters in rivers has caused an alarming phenomenon with a subsequent action to be taken towards analyzing and maintaining this precious resource in order to support the sustainable growth of the area. Keeping this in view, the aim of the present study is to deal with the task of groundwater quality assessment for drinking purpose to frame the policy and management plan for protecting it from the contamination and further deterioration.

2. Study Area

The study area (Figure 1) belongs to Deccan Basaltic Province, spreading over approximately 274 km² (eastern part of Haveli Taluka, Pune District) and drained by Mula-Mutha river further meets Bhima river, entangling from 74º01ʹ10.13"E to 74º09ʹ34.03"E longitudes and 18º24ʹ47.05"N to 18º35ʹ31.88"N latitude. The area falls in semi-arid region and receives average rainfall of about 760mm annually. The maximum evaporation is observed in the month of May i.e. 267.32 mm and the minimum evaporation (98mm) takes place in August. Majority of the study area is flat to gently sloping topography. Highly dissected plateaus are observed towards the southern part of the study area.

The water table aquifer comprises of vesicular / weathered, jointed and fractures basalt covered with alluvium in the proximity of Mula-Mutha River flowing through the study area. The alluvium acts as soft rock aquifer with good storativity and transmissivity whereas massive basalt with fractures and joints show low to moderate aquifer characteristics. The southern part of the study area is occupied by barren and waste land, whereas the central part of area experiences intense agricultural practices.

3. Material And Methods

Survey of India (SOI), Toposheets (47 F/14, 47 J/2, 47 J/3 and 47 F/15) were geo-referenced and digitized to prepare base map of the study area. ArcGIS^®10 software is used to analyze the data for the evaluation of groundwater quality. The area was equally divided into grids for assisting demonstrative groundwater sample collection and studying the spatial 

variations in groundwater quality. The study was conducted based on the samples collected from 53 dug well locations during the post-monsoon i.e. December 2015. Sample location points were fixed at the time of sampling and demarcated by using GPS (Global Positioning Systems). Groundwater samples were collected by following the collection, handling and preservation standard procedures (APHA, 1995) to ensure quality. High-density polyethene bottles were used for collection of the groundwater samples. Each polyethylene bottle was rinsed properly with same water to prevent contamination from the bottle during storage. The samples were filled up to the brim and were immediately sealed to avoid exposure to air and were labelled by sample coding systematically. The pH and electrical conductivity (EC) were measured using digital conductivity meters immediately after sampling in the field. The samples were properly stored in refrigerator after collection from the fields. The labelled samples were analyzed in the laboratory for twelve physicochemical parameters like pH, TDS, TH, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, HCO₃⁻, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻ NO₃⁻ and PO₄^- using standard methods prescribed by (APHA 1995; Sarath Prasanth et al., 2012). Total analysis was carried out with freshly prepared double distilled water. The detailed systematic flow chart involving field and Laboratory work has been included in figure 2 to explain the methodology adopted for the study. The instruments used for cation-anion analysis are: Flame-photometer-Elico-CL-361 (sodium and Potassium), Spectrophotometer-Shimadzu-UV-1800 (sulphate, phosphate, and nitrate) were calibrated properly prior to the initiation of lab work. Ion balance errors were scrutinized for major cations and anions after all calculations of analytical work to know the exactness of chemical analysis. The charge balance of the analyzed data (cations and anions) is well within the acceptable range (± 5% of error). All mathematical calculations like average, minimum, maximum, standard deviations were performed for physico-chemical parameters using MS Office, Excel software. The suitability of groundwater for drinking purposes was evaluated by water quality index (WQI) and comparing the values of different water quality parameters with those of the world health organisation (WHO, 2004) and bureau of Indian standard (BIS, 1991) guidelines (Sarath Prasanth et al., 2012; Magesh and Chandrasekar, 2011).

Following steps are involved in computation of \(WQI\) :

1. Assigning Weights (Max. 5): Each parameter has been evaluated according to relevance in drinking quality of groundwater (Table 1)
2. Relative weights, \(RW_i=AW_i/ \sum AW_i\)  

where, \(AW_i\)  = Assigned weight.

Quality rating, \(Q_i=(C_i/S_i)\times 100 (mg/l)\)  

where, \(Q_i\)  = Quality rating for i^th parameter, \(C_i\)  = Concentration of i^th parameter in groundwater sample, and \(S_i\)  = desirable limit set by BIS/WHO.

1. Sub-index, \(S_i=RW_i \times Q_i\)  
2. Water quality index, \(WQI= \sum SI_i\)  (Wagh et al., 2016)

Table 1. Relative weights of parameters assigned for obtaining WQI

Parameters	pH	TDS	TH	Ca	Mg	Na	K	HCO3	Cl	NO3	SO4	PO4	Total
Weights	3	5	3	2	2	3	2	2	5	5	3	2	37
BIS (1991)	8.5	500	300	75	30	100	10	200	250	45	200	0.3
WHO (2004)	8.5	1500	100	75	30	200	12	200	200	45	200	0.1
Relative weight ( \(RW_i\) )	0.08	0.14	0.08	0.05	0.05	0.08	0.05	0.05	0.14	0.14	0.08	0.05	1.00

Note: BIS/WHO values denote maximum permissible limit.

4. Results And Discussions

The laboratory analytical results were assessed to determine the suitability of groundwater in the study area for drinking uses as per BIS and WHO standards (Dhakate et al. 2015). Total 14 physicochemical parameters of the groundwater samples were considered for statistical analysis including minimum, maximum, average and standard deviation of major cations and anions (Table 2).

Table 2. Statistical details and BIS-WHO standard limits for cations and anions

Parameter	Standard Limit		Post-monsoon		December-2015
	BIS	WHO	Average	Min	Max	SD
pH	6.5-8.5	7.0-8.5	7.93	7.50	8.91	0.24
EC	400	--	1321	680	2900	472
TDS	500	1500	783	418	1636	264
Calcium	75	75	55.20	28.10	103.87	17.31
Magnesium	30	30	39.09	22.01	90.34	12.65
Sodium	100	200	122.91	22.03	364.88	76.41
Potassium	10	12	1.04	0.01	9.87	2.39
Alkalinity	200	200	308	140	570	86
Sulphate	250	250	65.71	9.66	218.29	42.59
Phosphate	0.3	0.1	0.34	0.07	4.48	0.71
Chlorides	250	200	147.99	45.28	382.20	69.15
Nitrate	10	10	41.19	0.09	104.83	28.07

Note: All the parameters are measured in mg/L (except pH, EC)

The statistical summary of physicochemical analysis depict the pH maximum value 8.91 (PL 8.5) which is slightly alkaline nature (sample no 29 and 43) due to recharge from Mula-Mutha river and agricultural land use pattern. TDS show average 783mg/L and BIS/WHO standards indicate, all sites are well within the PL, except sample no 16 due to agricultural activity in the area and sewage of irrigated water. While, calcium has average 55.2 mg/L and maximum value 103.87mg/L, where sample numbers: 16, 21, 30, 41, 51, 52 and 53 are above PL (75mg/L). Whereas, magnesium averaged 39.09mg/l with maximum 90.34mg/L showing almost all sites except sample numbers: 6, 12, 24, 28, 34, 35, 36, 39, 40, 43 and 46 are above PL (30mg/L). Although, sodium shows average value of 122.91mg/L, exceeding BIS limit (100mg/L) where more than 50% samples are above PL and for WHO standards (200mg/L) 15% samples have crossed the standard limit (sample numbers: 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 16, 19 and 29). Mostly, rock-water interaction shows sodium input in water. On the other hand, Potassium and Sulphate have less concentration in groundwater showing maximum 9.87mg/L (10 PL) and 218.29mg/L (250 PL), respectively. Even though WHO/BIS PL for alkalinity is 200mg/L, it ranges from 140-570mg/L except sample numbers 4, 12 and 46 all 96% samples have exceeded the PL. Phosphate depicts average 0.37mg/L which is above the BIS/WHO standards (PL 0.3/0.1 mg/L). However, chloride had maximum concentration of 382.2mg/L, and sample numbers: 2, 3, 16 and 19 crossed BIS permissible limit (250mg/L), whereas sample numbers: 5, 10, 13, 14, 15 and 29 are above WHO standards (200mg/L), high chloride content cause health issues related to stomach. Nitrate concentration in 80% samples is above PL (10mg/L) except samples:  4, 6, 24, 33, 35, 36, 39, 46, 50, 52 and 53. Drastic high levels of Nitrate may be due to dense agricultural zone and return flow. The GWQI (BIS and WHO) standards and the category in which samples fall are shown in Table 3. There are five categories: excellent, good, poor, very poor and unfit.

Table 3. WQI category for BIS and WHO

Categories	Water Type	BIS				WHO
		Samples				Samples
		Total		%	Numbers	Total	%	Numbers
<50	Excellent			0		20	38	4, 6, 20, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 33, 35, 36, 38, 39, 43, 44, 47, 48, 50, 52 and 53.
50-100	Good		30	57	1, 4, 6, 7, 11, 20, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 50, 51, 52 and 53.	30	57	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 2, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 37, 40, 41, 42, 4, 49 and 51.
100-200	Poor		23	43	2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 34, 42 and 49.	3	6	12, 34 and 46
200-300	Very poor		-	-	-	-	-	-
>300	Unfit		-	-	-	-	-	-
	Total		53	100		53	100	-

Results of WQI using the BIS standards show that 57% of samples fall in good category while 43% in poor category. In continuation with this, when all samples were checked for WHO standards indicate excellent 38%, 57% good while 6% poor category.

The BIS based WQI values range from 52.5 to 195 whereas for WHO from 30.3 to 98.3 (Figure 3a and b). The highest index value has been observed near village Shindavane by both standards near river as well as at sources part (sample 41) where dug well taping in perched basaltic aquifer. Overall results show that according to WHO standard WQI shows maximum samples in non-effective category, while Astapur, Theor, Malwadi (Jagtapmala) and Mula-Mutha surface water samples in Theor (12, 34 and 46) represent poor category because of return flow, rock-water interaction, and agricultural practices. Whereas, the BIS limits indicate 43% of the samples in poor category. The locations of the villages in study area (Table 4) are  indicating poor category based on BIS standards, most of the samples present in the intensive agricultural zone which may increase the risk of contamination in groundwater due to percolation after irrigation, some are in the proximity of river and pump the water directly to well hence increase the risk of changes in ionic characteristics of well water, while some locations show contamination due to seepage or return flow. Thus, there is a need to minimize the risk of future health hazard and groundwater deterioration due to contamination.

Table 4. Villages with poor category of WQI

Sr. No	Sample type	Longitude	Latitude	Name of the village
1	Dug Well	74.07.44	18.27.32	Uralikanchan
2	Dug Well	74.07.35	18.26.01	Shindavane
3	Dug Well	74.06.58	18.26.25	Walati Khopade vasti
4	Dug Well	74.08.15	18.30.34	Venkateshnagar
5	Dug Well	74.08.22	18.31.02	Kad vasti
6	Dug Well	74.08.07	18.31.27	Bhavarapur bhagyodaya society
7	Surface Water	74.07.51	18.32.36	Astapur
8	Dug Well	74.08.02	18.32.58	Astapur
9	Dug Well	74.07.22	18.29.44	Koregaon
10	Dug Well	74.07.04	18.29.48	Koregaon
11	Dug Well	74.07.06	18.30.18	Uralikanchan
12	Dug Well	74.05.54	18.30.06	Peth
13	Bore Well	74.05.47	18.29.58	Peth
14	Dug Well	74.05.09	18.30.05	Pethnaygao road
15	Dug Well	74.04.1	18.29.29	Kunjirwadi
16	Dug Well	74.04.05	18.26.27	Mhatobachi alandi
17	Dug Well	74.04.60	18.27.52	Chorage vasti
18	Dug Well	74.02.45	18.29.36	Gadhave Mala
19	Bore Well	74.03.35	18.30.80	Tambe Vasti tarmala-Theor Rd
20	Dug Well	74.03.29	18.30.14	Tambe Vasti
21	Surface Water	74.02.16	18.31.45	Theor bridge
22	Dug Well	74.07.09	18.33.56	Kholshet Vasti
23	Dug Well	74.04.03	18.33.48	Wade

5. Conclusion

The groundwater quality study conducted for eastern part of Haveli region depicts that the pH value of the ground water is slightly alkaline in nature and bears the value within the permissible limit and suitable for drinking purpose at all locations. However, the concentration of TDS in the groundwater suggests that it is within the classification of fresh water, involving many samples of the study area. Most of the parameters like magnesium, sodium, alkalinity, phosphate and nitrate have high concentrations due to ion exchange process as well as fertilizer intake.

Based on WQI calculated for the representative samples as per WHO standards, majority of the groundwater samples indicate that water is safe. Whereas, BIS standard indicates, the area besides river as well as dense agricultural zone indicate groundwater with high WQI, which is because of magnesium, sodium, alkalinity, phosphate and nitrate concentrations in groundwater samples due to agriculture and use of chemical fertilizers. As the groundwater is the main source in most of the villages, even the zone is intensively irrigated there may be future declining trend of WQI is possible. This study suggests that the possible contamination sources of groundwater such as domestic waste and fertilizers must be controlled by recycling and constant monitoring to keep this valuable resource reserve for forthcoming generations.