Groundwater Quality Index of Dheku River Basin of Maharashtra, India: A Mathematical Approach

Abstract

An attempt has been made to calculate the Groundwater Quality Index (GWQI) of Dheku river basin in order to assess its suitability for drinking purposes. Samples were assessed for twelve physico-chemical parameters namely pH, Electrical Conductivity, Total Dissolved Solid, Total Hardness, Bicarbonate, Chlorides, Sulphates, Nitrates, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium and Fluoride in post-monsoon season of 2016. Weighted arithmetic water quality index method was used to find groundwater quality index (GWQI). The groundwater quality index varies from 11.93 to 96.05 with mean 41.63 indicating the impact of human activity is the main cause of deterioration in water quality.