Seasonal analysis of groundwater samples to identify water quality index and comparative statistical analysis of Hunsur Taluk, Mysuru, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Groundwater quality assessment is critical for maintaining freshwater sources in semi-arid and dry environments, which is critical for long-term development. Water quality control authorities can regulate the use of water for agriculture or drinking implementations based on groundwater quality in various areas, as nearly 85% of India's population is reliant on groundwater for domestic and irrigation needs, particularly as a source of drinking in rural areas. From Hunsur taluk, Mysore district, Karnataka, India, this study explores and identifies potential places for pumping groundwater for drinking and irrigation. An analysis of groundwater quality was conducted by analyzing the Water Quality Index (WQI) determined from 30 wells during two seasons of the year 2019, namely Pre-Monsoon and Post-Monsoon. The identification of the quality of water resources for irrigation and drinking purposes can be determined with the help of the WQI. It’s extremely useful for classifying water quality considering the standard-based classification of water as excellent, good, poor, very poor, or unsuitable for drinking. By using the Weighted Arithmetic Index method calculated using the groundwater samples collected data for the study, reported ‘excellent water’ ranges between 80 and 83.33 and ‘good water’ between 20 and 16.67, and never found ‘poor water.’ The IWQ index for the study area has been reported to be in the average range of 17.35–65.64. This paper highlights the physico-chemical parameters assess water quality in comparison with climatology.