Groundwater quality evaluation using Water Quality Index (WQI) under GIS framework for Mandya City, Karnataka

The present study assesses the groundwater quality for drinking and agricultural purpose and determines physiochemical characteristics of groundwater in Mandya City Province. Water Quality was evaluated by sampling at hand pumps in 35 wards, respectively; the Physio-chemical parameters were analysed and Water Quality Index was determined. The analytical results were taken to generate the spatial distribution of the parameters using ArcGIS. The value of water quality Index has been affected mainly due to the presence of dissolved ions in the ground water. The assessment of water quality index at all the 35 wards of Mandya City ranges from 28.15 to 193.59. The study reveals, 2.85% water samples were found to be of excellent quality, 37.14% of water samples falls under good quality and 60% of water samples were found to be of poor quality because of the influence of increased levels of iron and fluoride content. Since, larger percentage of water quality falls under the class of poor, it is recommended to treat the water sample before direct consumption.