Assessment of groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation uses in taluka Ratodero, district Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan

The study was carried out to examine the different water quality parameters for groundwater of taluka Ratodero, district Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan. The samples from hand pumps were collected from 25 different locations during October 2019. The parameters like Electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, total hardness, Cl, alkalinity, SO4, Na, Mg, K, Ca, Fe, Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr, Cu, Mn, Co, As and fluoride were examined. The groundwater was also tested for suitability for irrigation based on sodium adsorption ratio, Kelly's index, permeability index, sodium percentage (Na%), salinity hazard and Wilcox diagram. The samples were also examined for water quality index (WQI) and contamination index. The statistical analyses were carried out by calculating cluster analysis, correlation coefficient and hydrochemical facies between different parameters to evaluate the water quality. The results of physico-chemical parameters were compared with World Health Organization guideline. Twelve samples (48%) were not suitable for drinking on the basis of EC and TDS, and results of chloride and fluoride of 36% samples were not fit for drinking purposes and 9 (36%) samples were of poor quality based on WQI, contaminated index (C-d), Pb, Ni and Cd. The chronic daily intake indices and hazard quotient indices were calculated, and results showed that Ratodero city groundwater was of concern for human health. The treatment methods are recommended for unsuitable groundwater samples for drinking purpose. The results of water quality for irrigation indicated that 60-80% of the samples were suitable for irrigation.