Water Quality Assessment and Hydrochemistry of Shallow Groundwater in Bhara Kahu area, Islamabad, Pakistan

Abstract

The groundwater quality of Bhara Kahu, Islamabad has been evaluated using water samples collected from 8
localities. The analysis has been performed to determine the drinking and irrigation groundwater quality. The standard
procedures were adopted after the American Public Health Association (APHA) for sampling. The analysis revealed
the concentration of the Ca, K, Mg, Na, NO3, HCO3, SO4, Cl, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), hardness, turbidity, pH,
alkalinity and Electrical Conductivity (EC). The World Health Organization (WHO) standards were used to compare
with the results for the determination of the quality of groundwater. It is concluded that the groundwater in the Bhara
Khau area is not polluted and may be used for drinking purpose. The geochemical evolution of groundwater describes it
to be of Ca-HCO3 type showing a single aquifer having a younger groundwater. The suitability of the groundwater
determined by the EC and the sodium hazard determines the groundwater to be safe.
Keywords: Groundwater, physicochemical, Bhara Kahu, hydrochemical facies.