Groundwater Quality Assessment Using Hydrochemical and Multivariate Approaches in Coastal Taluka Shaheed Fazil Rahu, District Badin, Sindh, Pakistan: Groundwater Quality Assessment Using Hydrochemical and Multivariate Approaches in Coastal Taluka Shaheed Fazil Rahu, District Badin, Sindh, Pakistan

Authors

Ghulam Murtaza Arain Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources, University Road, Karachi, Pakistan
Tarique Mahmood Noonari Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources, Badin, Pakistan
Nazia Sattar Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources, University Road, Karachi, Pakistan
Sumaira Khatoon Centre of Excellence in Marine Biology, University of Karachi, Pakistan
Nabeel Ali Khan Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources, University Road, Karachi, Pakistan
Nadeem Gul Department of Physics, Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi, Pakistan
Muhammad Afzal Jamali Centre for Pure and Applied Geology, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan

Pakistan ranks 14th among the most water-stressed countries globally, with groundwater (GW)

serving as the primary water source for both rural and urban populations. However, GW contamination is a

growing concern, driven by excessive agrochemical use, improper wastewater disposal, and toxic elements.

Coastal Sindh, particularly District Badin, faces severe water scarcity and deteriorating GW quality, exacerbated

by seawater intrusion and the absence of proper water storage and supply infrastructure. This study assesses GW

quality in Taluka Shaheed Fazil Rahu (SFR), District Badin, using hydrochemical and multivariate statistical

approaches to evaluate contamination sources and freshwater availability. A total of 105 GW samples were

acquired from communal bore wells across three union councils and analyzed for physical, chemical, and

microbiological parameters. Results showed that 65.71% of samples exceeded turbidity limits, 64.76% had high

EC, and 58.1% surpassed TDS thresholds. Microbiological analysis detected total coliforms in 29.52% and E. coli

in 12.38%, indicating fecal contamination. Contaminants followed the order: Cl⁻ (56.19%) > HCO₃⁻ (54.29%) >

Na⁺ (37.14%) > SO₄²⁻ (31.43%) > K⁺ (25.71%) > Mg²⁺ (24.76%) > Ca²⁺ (22.86%) > F⁻ (14.29%) > As (5.71%) >

NO₃⁻ (1.90%). Multivariate analysis identified salinity (EC, TDS), bicarbonate, chloride, and sodium as primary

influences on GW quality. WQI classification showed only 7.62% of samples as excellent, while most were

categorized as poor, with UC Tarai (38.46%) having the highest proportion. The findings highlight critical water

quality concerns and threats to public health, emphasizing the need for regular monitoring, water treatment,

disinfection, and sustainable utilization of resources to ensure safe drinking water.

Keywords: Coastal Sindh, groundwater quality, hydrochemical assessment, multivariate analysis, public health

risk, water contamination