Water quality assessment of Lakhota Lake, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India, with special reference to the water quality index (WQI)

Abstract

The present study was carried out to assess the water quality of Lakhota Lake. Objective water samples from five different sites were collected and analyzed from January 2023 to December 2024. Furthermore, the data obtained were processed to calculate the water quality index (WQI). The values obtained were compared with the guidelines for drinking purposes suggested by the World Health Organization and Bureau of Indian Standard. The results revealed that all the studied parameters were within the permissible limits except turbidity, TDS and EC, which exceeded the permissible limits. Among all the sites, site 5 was more heavily polluted than all the other sites. Among the heavy metals, iron was found above the permissible limits at Site 3, Site 4 and Site 5. Eight water quality parameters were used in the WQI approach to estimate the integrated groundwater quality. The WQI values ranged from 63.8 to 81.9, indicating that the Lakhota Lake water is not suitable for drinking water, including water from both humans and animals. At sites 1-4, the WQI falls in the poor category, while at site 5, it falls under the very poor category. There is a need for proper wastewater management in and around Lakhota Lake to protect the water quality and aesthetic properties of the lake. It is finally suggested that vegetation should also be planted at the boundaries of the lake, which will work as a natural purifier for the water of the lake.