Hydrochemical Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Drinking and Irrigation in the Sudda Vagu Basin, Bhainsa Region, Telangana, India

Groundwater in the Sudda Vagu basin, located in the Bhainsa region of Nirmal District, Telangana, serves as a critical source of water for both drinking and irrigation.To evaluate its quality and suitability, 25 groundwater samples were systematically collected during the pre-monsoon (May 2022) and postmonsoon (November 2022) periods and analyzed for major cations and anions.The concentrations of sodium Na + , potassium (K + ), carbonate CO 2- 3 , bicarbonate (HCO 3 -), and sulfate SO 4 2-were found to remain within the permissible limits recommended by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), whereas elevated levels of calcium Ca 2+ , magnesium Mg 2+ , chloride Cl -, nitrate NO - 3 , and fluoride (F -) were detected in several samples, exceeding the prescribed thresholds.The pH of the groundwater ranged from 6.5 to 8.5 , indicating alkaline conditions, and was deemed generally acceptable for drinking based on BIS guidelines.Hydrochemical facies classification using the Piper trilinear diagram revealed the predominance of Ca 2+ -HCO - 3 , Na + -Cl -, and mixed water types.Irrigation suitability was further assessed through indicators including the Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Kelly Ratio (KR), and Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC), along with the Wilcox diagram.Pre-monsoon evaluation indicated that 12 samples were categorized under the S1C2 class (low sodium hazard-medium salinity hazard), while 13 samples were assigned to the S1C3 class (low sodium hazard-high salinity hazard).Postmonsoon analysis revealed that four samples remained in S1C2, whereas 21 shifted into S1C3.The findings indicate that the majority of samples are suitable for drinking and irrigation.Continuous monitoring and the implementation of sustainable groundwater management strategies are therefore essential to ensure water security in this region.