Delineation of Water Quality Aspects Through Water Quality Index Using GIS and Statistical Approach in Faisalabad

Abstract

Drinking water is essential for life and survival, deterioration of its quality may affect human being at global level. Therefore, monitoring of water quality is essential component for life cycle. For this purpose, a study was carried out in Faisalabad tehsil to monitor the water quality aspects using Water Quality Index (WQI). Six parameters were selected like EC, Turbidity, TDS, Nitrates, Arsenic and Fluorides, their individual effect beyond threshold levels and combined effect on water rating scale was determined using GIS and statistical approach. Thirteen sampling locations were selected to determine the Water Quality Index. Statistical approach provided the maximum, minimum, mean and standard deviation of parameters among sampling locations. These parameters were spatially distributed using arc map to provide conversant approach at tehsil level. Relative weights of influencing parameters (Wi), Water quality rating scale (Qi) which is ratio of concentration of parameters in the water sample to standard value of parameters. Combined effect of Wi and Qi provided WQI as rating scale value which was between 22 to 375. After analysis, it determined the water quality as excellent (7.5%), good (23.07%), poor 30.76%), very poor (15.38%) and unfit for drinking purpose (23.07%). It prevailed that water should be filtered or purify before use to avoid hazardous effect on human health.