Assessment of groundwater quality for drinking purposes of Malda District, India: Using WQI and GIS technique

Water, an essential life‐sustaining resource, holds global significance. Groundwater, a crucial component, provides substantial benefits to communities worldwide. This study focuses on evaluating the quality and suitability of groundwater for drinking purposes in the Malda district, employing methodologies that include the water quality index and geographic information systems. The data collected from West Bengal's groundwater yearbook for March 2020–2021 form the basis of this investigation. Following World Health Organization and Bureau of Indian Standards standard procedures, the study examines physicochemical characteristics and identifies hazardous elements such as potential of hydrogen, electrical conductivity, total hardness, Ca+, Na+, HCO3, F, Fe, SO4, K+, total dissolved solids, NO3, and Mg+. The findings reveal an alkaline nature in the groundwater of the Malda district, with dominant ions including HCO3−, F−, SO4−, and Cl−. Major cation chemistry is observed in Mg+, Ca+, and K+. Using the water quality index method, the results indicate 39% falling within the “excellent” category, 13% in “good” water quality, 34% considered “unsuitable,” 8% categorized as “poor,” and 4% falling into the “very poor” water quality bracket. The study's correlation and cluster analyses reveal complex relationships and distinct groupings among various parameters, emphasizing the need for comprehensive groundwater management. The study underscores the necessity for appropriate remediation measures to address high concentrations of trace metals in groundwater, posing potential health risks for domestic use. The incorporation of geographic information systems methodologies enhances the spatial understanding of these findings. This research contributes valuable insights for sustainable water resource management in the Malda district. 摘要 摘要 水是维持生命的重要资源, 在全球具有重要意义。地下水是水的一个关键组成部分, 为世界各地的社区带来巨大利益。本研究聚焦于评价马尔达地区地下水饮用的质量和适宜性, 采用的方法包括水质指数 (WQI)和地理信息系统 (GIS)。从西孟加拉邦2020年3月至2021年的地下水年鉴中收集的数据构成了本次调查的基础。本研究遵循世界卫生组织和BIS标准程序, 分析了理化特性并识别了有害元素, 例如 pH、EC、TH、Ca + 、Na + 、HCO3、F、Fe、SO4、K + 、TDS、NO3和Mg + 。研究结果表明, 马尔达地区的地下水呈碱性, 主要离子包括HCO3‐、F‐、SO4‐和Cl‐。主要的阳离子为Mg + 、Ca + 和K + 。采用水质指数法, 结果显示, 39%的水质属于“优秀”类别, 13%的水质属于“良好”类别, 34%的水质属于“不适宜”类别, 8%的水质属于“较差”类别, 4%的水质属于“特别差”的水质等级。本研究的相关性分析和聚类分析揭示了不同参数之间的复杂关系和不同的分组, 强调了地下水综合管理的必要性。本研究强调了采取适当补救措施的必要性, 以应对地下水中高浓度的微量金属问题, 这些金属对家庭用水造成了潜在的健康风险。GIS方法的结合增强了对这些发现的空间理解。本研究为马尔达地区的可持续水资源管理提供了宝贵的见解。. Resumen El agua, un recurso esencial para el sustento de la vida,