ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY IN UNION COUNCIL THUL, JACOBABAD DISTRICT, SINDH, PAKISTAN

Abstract

In response to growing concerns about groundwater contamination in Union Council (UC) Thul, Jacobabad District, Sindh, Pakistan, this study evaluates the drinkability of groundwater using the Synthetic Pollution Index (SPI) model. A total of 20 groundwater samples were collected from various locations within the study area and analyzed for critical physicochemical parameters, including pH, chloride, nitrate, nitrite, calcium, magnesium, sulfate, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), and total hardness. The pH levels ranged from 7.5 to 7.8, indicating neutral to slightly alkaline conditions. Chloride concentrations varied significantly, ranging from 80 to 1892 mg/L, with some samples exceeding safe limits. Calcium concentrations ranged between 16 and 256 mg/L (mean 81.2 ± 79.48), while magnesium levels ranged from 84 to 1148 mg/L (mean 400.8 ± 363.88), reflecting substantial geochemical variability. EC values spanned 0.4 to 5.1 dS/m, and TDS levels ranged from 280 to 3240 mg/L, suggesting issues with mineral dissolution and salinity. Total hardness varied widely from 100 to 1440 mg/L (mean 482 ± 443.21), identifying areas with hard and very hard water. The SPI model categorized water quality as follows: 30% of the samples were suitable for drinking, 60% were moderately contaminated, and 10% were unsuitable for drinking purposes. Notably, groundwater in Qadri Muhalla and Haji Muhammad Ramzan Noonari was classified as unsuitable for drinking due to elevated contaminant levels. These findings highlight the critical need for water management interventions, including the installation of reverse osmosis (RO) plants, promotion of rainwater harvesting, and public awareness campaigns to ensure safe and sustainable groundwater use in the study area.