Groundwater Quality and Its Suitability Assessment for Irrigation and Drinking in Different Aquifers of Faridpur, Bangladesh

Abstract

Thirty five groundwater samples were collected to appraise the chemical constituents in order to classify them on the basis of their suitability for irrigation and drinking. The considered water quality parameters are pH, EC, TDS, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, manganese, boron, sulphate, bicarbonate, chloride, sodium adsorption ratio, residual sodium carbonate, soluble sodium percentage, Kelly’s ratio, magnesium percentage and hardness. All the water samples were neutral to slightly alkaline in nature (pH=6.97 to 7.62). As regards to TDS values, groundwater samples were rated as fresh water (TDS<1000 mg L^-1) in quality. EC and SAR indicated that water samples were medium salinity (C2) and low alkalinity (S1) hazards expressed as C2S1 and could be safely used for moderate salt tolerance crops growing on soils. Groundwater samples were classified as good and permissible in quality based on SSP. All groundwater samples were free from RSC and belonged to suitable in category. As per hardness (H_T), samples were moderately hard to hard in quality. The detected concentrations of different cations and anions were found below the toxic levels and might not pose threat to soil system as irrigation water and could be used for drinking. In most of the groundwater samples, HCO₃ ion was within the safe limit but only in four samples HCO₃ ion was considered as toxicant for irrigating soils and crops. The toxicity of Mn ion was detected in two samples and the rest of the water samples were suitable for irrigation.