Groundwater quality characterization using an integrated water quality index and multivariate statistical techniques

This study attempts to characterize and interpret the groundwater quality (GWQ) using a GIS environment and multivariate statistical approach (MSA) for the Jakham River Basin (JRB) in Southern Rajasthan. In this paper, analysis of various statistical indicators such as the Water Quality Index (WQI) and multivariate statistical methods, i.e., principal component analysis and correspondence analysis (PCA and CA), were implemented on the pre and post-monsoon water quality datasets. All these methods help identify the most critical factor in controlling GWQ for potable water. In pre-monsoon (PRM) and post-monsoon (POM) seasons, the computed value of WQI has ranged between 28.28 to 116.74 and from 29.49 to 111.98, respectively. As per the GIS-based WQI findings, 63.42 percent of the groundwater samples during the PRM season and 42.02 percent during the POM were classed as ‘good’ and could be consumed for drinking. The Principal component analysis (PCA) is a suitable tool for simplification of the evaluation process in water quality analysis. The PCA correlation matrix defines the relation among the water quality parameters, which helps to detect the natural or anthropogenic influence on sub-surface water. The finding of PCA’s factor analysis shows the impact of geological and human intervention, as increased levels of EC, TDS, Na+, Cl-, HCO3-, F-, and SO42- on potable water. In this study, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was used to categories the WQ parameters for PRM and POR seasons using the Ward technique. The research outcomes of this study can be used as baseline data for GWQ development activities and protect human health from water-borne diseases in the southern region of Rajasthan.