Hydrogeochemistry and Groundwater Quality Assessment in Gujarat

Abstract

Assessing water quality is crucial for ensuring the availability of safe drinking water, sustainable agricultural practices, and safe industrial utilization. This paper presents a comprehensive study conducted over a five-year period in Lasundra, Savarkundla, Saputara, and Junagadh to determine whether the water is suitable for drinking, irrigation, and industrial use. The objective is to offer insightful information on the long-term fluctuations and trends in water quality in these areas. The collected data were utilized to calculate water quality indices specifically tailored for drinking, irrigation, and industrial purposes. The essential Water Quality Indices such as Ryznar Stability Index (RSI) and Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) have been examined for industrial application and primary indices like Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR), Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC), Kelly’s Ratio (KR), Potential Salinity (PS) and Permeability Index (PI) have been examined for drinking and irrigational applications of groundwater. These indices provided a quantitative assessment of overall water quality, enabling comparative analysis across the four study areas. Furthermore, advanced visualization techniques such as Piper, Wilcox, and Schoeller plots were illustrated to understand the changes in physiochemical characteristics over a five-year period. The results can help policymakers, water resource managers, and local communities in implementing appropriate measures to safeguard water resources, improve treatment processes, and enhance the water's quality for use in industrial, agricultural, and drinking purposes.