Abstract
The present study was carried out to assess the groundwater quality for drinking purposes in the Quaternary Unconsolidated Sedimentary Basin of the North Chengdu Plain, China. Six groups of water samples (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, and S6) are selected in the study area. These samples were analyzed for 19 different physicochemical water quality parameters to assess groundwater quality. The physicochemical parameters of groundwater were compared with China’s Quality Standards for Groundwater (GB/T14848-93). Interpretation of physicochemical data revealed that groundwater in the basin was slightly alkaline. Total hardness and total dissolved solid values show that the investigated water is classified as very hard and fresh water, respectively. The sustainability of groundwater for drinking purposes was assessed based on the fuzzy mathematics evaluation (FME) method. The results of the assessment were classified into five groups based on their relative suitability for portable use (grade I = most suitable to grade V = least suitable), according to (GB/T 14848-93). The assessment results reveal that the quality of groundwater in most of the wells was class I, II and III and suitable for drinking purposes, but well (S2) has been found to be in class V, which is classified as very poor and cannot be used for drinking. Also, the FME method was compared with the comprehensive evaluation method. The FME method was found to be more comprehensive and reasonable to assess groundwater quality. This study can provide an important frame of reference for decision making on improving groundwater quality in the study area and nearby surrounding.
Highlights
Groundwater is very important in day to day life for people and society (Shigut et al 2017)
The concentration values of groundwater quality parameters obtained from the six wells in the study area were statistically analyzed
It should be noted that for each well, four samples were taken at different periods and there was no apparent change in the analysis results of these samples and, it was taken as the average
Summary
Groundwater is very important in day to day life for people and society (Shigut et al 2017). It has been used for supplying potable water to both urban and rural areas and essential for irrigation, economic development, and protection of environmental and ecological balance (Cheng and Fanhai 2012, Srinivas et al 2015, Kumar et al 2015, AlAhmadi 2013). Shallow, unconsolidated aquifers are vulnerable to contamination, which may persist in groundwater for many years or decades (Li et al 2016, Liu et al 2010). The shallow aquifer in the Quaternary Unconsolidated Sedimentary Basin,
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