Groundwater suitability assessment for drinking and irrigation purposes in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

As the global population is soaring their demand for freshwater has reached critical levels, especially in regions like Aligarh, India, where groundwater is a vital resource for drinking and irrigation. Drinking water is important for the present life, while irrigation water is important for the future livelihood. Therefore, this study addresses the pressing need to understand its suitability for potable and irrigation purposes. Water samples were collected from various locations to ensure the representative coverage of the study area from 2016 to 2019. Parameters including pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+), Calcium (Ca2+), Magnesium (Mg2+), Chloride (Cl-), Sulfate (SO -), Nitrate (NO -), Carbonate (CO -), Bicarbonate 4 3 3 (HCO -), and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) were rigorously examined. The results 3 revealed deviations from permissible limits for several parameters, posing potential health risks associated with both types of water consumption. Higher concentrations of sodium, chloride, sulphate, and nitrate, with high electrical conductivity, raise significant concerns regarding water quality for drinking and irrigation purposes. The analysis of irrigation water quality showed different levels of salinity in the samples, indicating the need for tailored management strategies to mitigate salinity-related risks and optimize agricultural productivity. This study uniquely shifts the focus from surface water quality to a comprehensive analysis of groundwater suitability for drinking and irrigation. It addresses the overlooked correlations between salinity and other parameters. Therefore, these findings underscore the urgency of implementing remedial actions to improve water quality and ensure sustainable water use practices in the study area. This will help protect public health and support farming, especially as global water challenges continue to grow.