Hydrochemical Characteristics of Groundwater for Drinking Purpose and Health Risk Assessment

Urbanization and industrialization in many parts of the world contaminate ground and surface water resources. The present study is designed to investigate the hydrochemical characteristics, spatial distribution of major cations/anions, heavy metal pollution and associated health risk assessment of groundwater. In total 30 groundwater samples were taken from different urban localities of Multan, suggesting an elevated level of EC and TDS. Major cations and anions except SO42- and HCO3- in one area were below World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for drinking purpose. Hydrochemical results also indicates groundwater pollution is attributed to rock-water interaction. Medium to low microbial concentration was also noted in groundwater by seepage of sewage water. Elevated heavy metal concentration (As, Cd, Cr & Fe) was recorded in most of the sampled groundwater. Piper plot indicates mixed water type with Na+/K+ and Na+/HCO3- type. Water Quality Index (WQI) and Heavy metal Pollution Index (HPI) ranked groundwater of Multan from very poor to hazardous posing health hazards. Total hazard quotient value by ingesting groundwater exceeds non-carcinogenic threshold HQ = 1.0 in half of groundwater samples. Potential cancer risk was obtained for children in selected areas. Therefore, an effective management and monitoring system is applied in study area to safeguard the local community from potential illness. Major response action require to restore groundwater quality is to cut off contamination sources such as industrial effluents, fertilizers and pesticides application. Installing water treatment plants in study area to reduce cancer risk for local community is an effective and tangible solution.