Evaluation of ground water quality for irrigation and drinking purposes of the areas adjacent to Hudiara industrial drain, Lahore, Pakistan

This study was designed to assess the ground water quality of areas adjacent to Hudiara industrial drain, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. Thirty three groundwater samples were collected from tube wells located within 3 Km on either side of the Hudiara drain from different depths. This area falls under Indus plain which hosts one of the biggest ground water reservoirs in the world and is the main source of water for drinking as well as agriculture. To check the suitability of ground water, samples were analyzed for different irrigational and drinking quality parameters. The minimum and maximum values of these parameters were found as EC (496 to 2060 muScm-1), SAR (2.2 to 15.9), RSC (1.8 to 11.2 meq L-1), MAR (21.4 to 66.1%) and Cl (0.22 to 3.80 meq L-1). Among the heavy metals, Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu) and Cobalt (Co) were not detected. The maximum values of Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn) and NO3 were found within safe limits whereas Fluoride concentration was higher in one sample. Permissible limits set by World Health Organization (WHO) and Agriculture Department, Government of the Punjab were considered as standard for evaluating samples for drinking and irrigation suitability, respectively. As a whole, drinking quality of collected water samples was found satisfactory and free of contaminants of human origin. In terms of SAR, 75.7% water samples were fit while regarding RSC, 18% samples were marginally suitable and 82% samples were unfit for irrigation. Chloride level of 97% water samples was in safe limits. Collectively 21% samples were marginally suitable which can be used for irrigation along with some amendments and adopting special management practices while 79% samples were unfit for irrigation purposes.