Assessment of groundwater quality for drinking, irrigation and industrial purposes in Aik Watershed, Jammu and Kashmir, India

This study assessed groundwater quality in the Aik watershed, spanning the Jammu and Samba districts of Jammu and Kashmir, an area with productive agriculture and rapid urbanization. The research compared groundwater suitability for drinking with BIS standards and analyzed physicochemical parameters, including total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, pH, and various cations and anions. Groundwater samples were evaluated to determine their suitability for drinking, with a groundwater quality index computed. Additionally, irrigation suitability was assessed using indicators like sodium percentage and permeability index. The findings revealed that most groundwater samples are suitable for drinking, though 19% were impacted by fertilizers and industrial activities. Bicarbonate emerged as the predominant ion, often exceeding the recommended 200 mg/L limit. Excess levels of fluoride, nitrate, iron, sulfate, and chloride were also detected, attributed to both natural processes and human influences like industrial discharge and agriculture. Hydrogeochemical analysis indicated that groundwater chemistry is primarily governed by rock-water interactions. While most samples were suitable for irrigation, some concerns were noted regarding magnesium hazard and soluble sodium percent. The corrosivity ratio analysis confirmed all samples were safe for industrial use, indicating that groundwater in the area is largely suitable for drinking, irrigation, and industrial purposes.