Assessment of Groundwater Quality Using Water Quality Index (WQI), Pollution Index of Groundwater (PIG), and GIS in Parts of Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India

P. Ravikumar; S. Srinivasa Gowd; C. Krupavathi; G. Harish Vijay

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the potability of groundwater resources in some parts of the Anantapur district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The water quality index, a spatial evaluation of groundwater using a GIS-based interpolation method, and the polluting groundwater index are some of the methods used to analyze water quality and explain the water quality of the studied area. A total of 22 groundwater samples were obtained during the post-monsoon period. The samples were tested for pH, EC, TDS, TH, and the major cations and anions. PIG levels between 0.98 and 1.98, with an average of 1.36, categorize low contamination in 5% of the research area and groundwater that is fit for human consumption. Additionally, 77% of the groundwater samples have drinking qualities that are only slightly acceptable. WQI values ranged from 85.97 to 113.52 mg/L, indicating that 55% and 45% of the samples are safe for drinking, respectively, while the other 45% are not. Groundwater samples are found in the field of rock dominance, according to the Gibbs plot. GIS techniques are being used to analyze the spatial variation of groundwater quality, and the results show that the majority of groundwater samples marginally meet standards for potable water, necessitating prior treatment before use.