Groundwater suitability evaluation by CCME WQI model for Kadava River Basin, Nashik, Maharashtra, India

In this study, an attempt has been made to use the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCME WQI) model to classify groundwater suitability (n = 40) of Kadava river basin during pre and post monsoon season of 2012. The CCME WQI model computed for drinking and irrigation through guidelines of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). The pH, EC, TDS, TH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Fluoride, Sulfate and Nitrate variables were considered. The groundwater samples were classified into five categories from poor to excellent, ranges from 0 to 100. The result reveals that, the groundwater quality is poor to fair and majority of samples having marginal water quality for drinking. The groundwater quality is quite good for irrigation and it ranges from fair to good type with maximum samples fall in fair category. In the study area, the groundwater quality is considerably affected and found vulnerable in pre monsoon season due to intensive agriculture and anthropogenic activities. Spatial distribution maps of water quality index for pre and post monsoon season were prepared through GIS technique. In pre monsoon season, except Central part, many groundwater samples are found vulnerable and restricting their use for drinking. Three vulnerable hotspots are identified in North, NE and South region in post monsoon season. In pre monsoon season, Central, South and North part is affected; while, in post monsoon season, few patches in North, Central and Southern area are critical for irrigation use. In the study area, few aquifers are found to be problematic and thus limiting their use for drinking and irrigation. The CCME WQI is an effective tool to assess the groundwater quality and to communicate the health of water to multiple users. It gives precise results and water quality report in an easier way to the policy and decision makers. Finally, the study confirmed that the groundwater quality is influenced by agricultural activities and appropriate water management plan is essential to nurture precious groundwater resources in the study area. © 2017, Springer International Publishing Switzerland.