An Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Drinking Purpose in Tando Adam City of Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

The present study is aimed to assess the groundwater quality of Tando Adam city of district Sanghar, Sindh. Total twenty groundwater samples were randomly collected from handpump wells installed on different locations at various depths (50-90ft). The groundwater samples were analyzed for physicochemical and microbiological parameters to determine suitability for drinking purposes. Analytical results showed that most of water samples have elevated contents of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) exceeding the permissible limit (<1000mg/l) for drinking water. The concentration of cations (Ca+2, Mg+2, Na+, K+) and anions (Cl-, HCO3-, SO4-2) were so high that World Health Organization (WHO) standards seem overcrossing in >80% water samples. Local geology, poor irrigation practices, and anthropogenic activities are responsible for higher ion concentrations in the area. Furthermore, Microbiological contamination was found positive in half of the groundwater samples due to sewage contamination, poor sanitation and dumping of waste near well sites. The groundwater quality of the study area is highly contaminated and not suitable for human consumption but despite being commonly used for drinking purpose.