Assessment of groundwater quality from Sahibabad to Modinagar Meerut Uttar Pradesh, India using water quality index

Abstract

Groundwater quality and quantity both are important for the survival of human beings on this planet. In the present study an attempt has been made to assess the groundwater quality at mass using points. To fulfil the objectives of the present study, four sites (Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Muradnagar, and Modinagar) were selected along the metro line construction from Delhi to Meerut. At all these sites, workers of metro line projects are living and working and using the groundwater for drinking purpose. Sampling was carried out from July 2021 to June 2022 using grab method of sampling. The samples were analysed for pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), calcium, magnesium, chloride, sulphate, nitrate, and fluoride. The data was processed using water quality index (WQI) and Pearson correlation metrix. TDS at all the study sites ranged from 514mg/l to 549.3mg/l and the values are above the standard limit of BIS (500mg/l). Values of TH, calcium and magnesium were found above the limits prescribed. Concentration of Chloride, nitrate, sulphate, and fluoride were found below the limits prescribed by BIS. However, nitrate is approaching to the standard limit (45mg/l). Correlation metrix shows that calcium is responsible for increasing values of TDS. As per the values of WQI, water quality of site 2 (46.7762), 3 (48.3523) and 4 (48.6281) falls in good category while at site 1 (50.9363) in poor category. There is an urgent need of strict actions to stop the increasing water pollution in the area to prevent the huge population of this area from various water related implications.