Spatio - Temporal Variability Assessment of Groundwater Quality of Peshawar District, Pakistan

Abstract

Groundwater is extensively been used for drinking purposes. However, due to anthropogenic activities, the groundwater quality is deteriorating. To cater the health of a city, the groundwater quality needs to be monitored on a regular basis. The study aims to explore the spatio-temporal variation of various groundwater quality parameters and evaluate the outcome of landuse/ landcover on water quality parameters and water table depth for the years 2012 &2023 of the Peshawar district, Pakistan. Water samples (105) for the year 2012 and 133 for the year 2023 were randomly collected from the entire district to assess physical, chemical, and biological parameters. The water quality was assessed for seven parameters (pH, EC, turbidity, chloride, calcium, nitrate & e-coli), and compared the results with the permissible limits of Pak NSDWQ and WHO. For the LULC dynamics, how they affect the quality of groundwater and water table depth, Landsat images were classified for the years (2012 and 2023) and land cover maps were generated. Waterborne disease data was collected for 2022 to study the adverse consequences of groundwater quality on human health. The presence of e-coli in 57% of samples poses a significant risk to public health. The comparison of the results revealed that the water quality and water table depth in Peshawar is decreasing over the years. This decrease was more visible in areas where urbanization was high, thus showing the negative impacts of the LULC changes on the groundwater quality and water levels. The patient's disease data revealed that more than one lac diarrhea, cholera, typhoid fever & Acute hepatitis (A & E) patients were reported to health units, and most of them were from those areas where water quality has decreased and e-coli is positive. To sum up, the point sources of anthropogenic activities (domestic sewage, industrial wastes & agricultural activities) remain the main driver of water pollution in the region. This study could help district health decision-makers to apprehend the trends of groundwater quality, make proper site-specific actions, and formulate future health strategies.