Underground Water Quality Research Articles

Application of GIS for Predicting Quality of Underground Water for Drinking

Gaziantep is located at the south-east part of Turkey. Drinking water needs of Gaziantep city are increased because of population in last decade. Some amounts of drinking water are supplied to Gaziantep from underground. Because of large amount of industrial areas and settlement, quality of ground water is decreased in years. Therefore governors of the city should know which part of the city has a potential of having good quality of drinkable underground water. In this study, 9 wells in the city centre area of Gaziantep city are determined and water samples were taken from these wells. Then water samples were analyzed in the laboratory of GASKI (Gaziantep Water and Sewage Management). The laboratory results of underground water from each well are entered to ArcGIS program with the digital elevation map of Gaziantep to predict the quality of the underground water of Gaziantep. The ArcGIS program produced quality maps of drinkable water in Gaziantep. These maps show the dynamic and static water levels in the well, pH level, bromide, sulfate, free chlorine, hardness, turbidity, nitrate, and fluoride. This study shows that ArcGIS program is very useful tool to make the quality maps of groundwater for a specific area.

Rhizoremediation of Petrol Engine Oil Using Biosurfactants Producing Microbial Consortium in Mustard Crop

Contamination of soil / water resources by petroleum products poses severe threats to underground water and soil quality. In the present study biosurfactant producing bacterial cultures were used to degrade petrol engine oil under in situ conditions in the plant rhizosphere system. Two bacterial isolates used in this study were recovered from Haldia oil refinery sites and identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (JX100389) and P. moraviensis (JX149542). Application of consortium C2, (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and P. moraviensis) degraded 79.02 % petrol engine oil @ 2% in the soil planted with mustard (Brassica juncea var. Kranti) crop after 120 days. GC-MS of biodegraded fuel showed the presence of new product like hexadecanoic acid 2, oxo-methyl ester.Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 3(2): 261-266 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v3i2.12475

Effets de la modernisation de tannerie sur l’impact de ses activités sur la qualité des eaux : cas de la tannerie de Maradi au Niger

The modernization of the tannery of Maradi had intervened in 2009 with the introduction of the process of tanning in the chromium. We estimated the influence of this change of operating process through an evaluation of the impact characteristics evolution of the solid and liquid discharges of this tannery on water. It stands out that the modernization of the tannery activities had more or less significant effects on these environment elements. We noted a relative improvement of the quality of underground waters illustrated by the regression of the content in chloride and nitrates rates stabilization. While the content in chromium evolved in a significant way as well as the pH. However, all the four above parameters remain below WHO standards. By cons, this modernization has almost not influenced the impact on the quality of surface waters. The values of BOD and COD have continued to rise despite the installation of a treatment system. Thus this surface water, including the pond, proved to be a major public health risk for domestic and agricultural use and is also a source of air pollution.

A Web based Observance and Alerting for Underground and Fish Pond Water Quality

is one amongst the foremost necessary and basic natural resources. This approach of constant observance and alerting of underground and fish pond water shall promote the implementation of actions that will forestall human sickness caused thanks to consumption of poor quality of water and to develop health Fish Lake. This project proposes a sensing element primarily based pollution detection and alerting to the licensed agent via SMS and e-mail. The key parameters taken under consideration during this work are pH scale level, temperature, Dissolved Oxygen(DO) for fish lake water and therefore the water level, Total dissolved solids (TDS) were thought of for underground water. These parameters were detected by the corresponding sensors associated and are sent to the microcontroller unit wherever it is compared with the set point and invokes an alarm according it. The LCD display interfaces with the microcontroller unit to reveal this noninheritable parameter of water. Further, these parameters were sent to the base station through the wireless Zig-Bee communication module. Web site is maintained to store parameter of water and therefore the agent will read the water quality through web site (www.watermonitoringsystem.in). Once water parameter is not acceptable for drinking purpose then associate E-Mail and SMS alert is given to the user. KeywordsLCD, Microcontroller, Sensors, Zig-Bee technology

Physico Chemical Assessment and Comparison of Quality of Underground Water for Drinking Purpose at Periodic Interval in the Village of Srikurmam, Gara Mandal in Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Physico Chemical Assessment and Comparison of Quality of Underground Water for Drinking Purpose At Periodic Interval in the Village of Srikurmam, Gara Mandal in Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Analysis of Groundwater Quality of Aligarh City, (India): Using Water Quality Index

Water is essential for all living organisms for their existence and metabolic process. Unethical human intervention in natural system and over exploitation of groundwater resources induces degradation of its quality. In many instances groundwater is used directly for drinking as well as for other purposes, hence the evaluation of groundwater quality is extremely important. The present study is aimed to analyze the underground water quality at Aligarh. In this study 80 water samples were collected from 40 places and analyzed for 14 water quality parameters for pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons (2012). The water quality index of these samples ranges from 18.92 to 74.67 pre-monsoon and 16.82 to 70.34 during post-monsoon. The study reveals that 50 % of the area under study falls in moderately polluted category. The ground water of Aligarh city needs some treatment before consumption and it also needs to be protected from contamination.

Top soil salinity prediction in South-Western part of Urmia Lake with ground water data

Drying of Urmia Lake in the north-west of Iran threatens all the agricultural lands around the Lake. Therefore, soil salinity appears to be the major threat to the agricultural lands in the area. The aim of the present study was to investigate the spatial variation of top soil salinity by taking into account of underground water quality data as secondary information. The research was performed on a grid of 500 m in an area of 5000 ha. Soil samples were gathered during the autumn of 2009 and were repeated in the spring of 2010. Electrical conductivity of soil samples was measured in a 1:2.5 soil to water suspension. Then covariance functions were build for each data set and soil salinity prediction were done on a grid of 100 m using kriging estimator with taking into account the mean variation. Afterwards sodium activity ratio derived from underground water quality database was used as covariate to develop cross-semivarograms in prediction of top soil salinity using cokriging method. Results demonstrated that soil salinity varied from values lower than 0.5 to more than 35 dSm-1 as a function of distance to the Lake. Cross-validating the results from salinity predictions using only kriging estimator to that of cokriging with sodium activity ratio data revealed that kriging offered better estimations with ME of 0.04 for autumn 2009 and -0.12 for spring 2010. Cokriging estimator had more smoother and diffused boundaries than that of kriging and resulted in more bias estimations (ME= -0.11 and -0.21 for first and second data sets). Although kriging method had better performance in top soil salinity prediction, but cokring method resulted in smoother boundaries and reduced the negative effects of mean variation in the area. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v4i1.21093 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 4 (1): 57-63, June, 2014

English

This study determined the quality of surface and underground water in Itagunmodi in Nigeria. Physicochemical analysis of water samples collected within gold mining area and the water consumed in the town was carried out to determine their hygienic conditions. The major objective of this study was assessment degree of groundwater pollution around the mining sites and the available water consumed in the town. Four major sources of water were analyzed. Several physical and chemical parameters were tested in groundwater, these include pH, total solids (TS), total dissolved solids (TDS), conductivity, total alkalinity, total hardness (TH), chloride (Cl-1), sulphur (S), heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu), major cation (Mg). The results show that the parameters are within the standard acceptable levels which are required for drinking water adapted from World Health Organization. The pH of the samples was suitable for drinking according to the World Health Organization standard. For a safe drinking water, the pH should be between 6.5 and 8.5); it can be said that the water quality of the samples are fairly good based on the monitored elements and physicochemical characteristics. Key words: Groundwater, conductivity, heavy metals, gold mining site, pollution.

Effect of Open Refuse Dumpsite on the Quality of Underground Water Used for Domestic Purposes in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria - A Public Health Awareness Study

The quality of underground water is compromised by the indiscriminate dumping of waste in the environment and contamination by leachate. The effect of the dunghill leachate on the physicochemical and microbial quality of water samples collected from closest wells to the municipal waste disposing sites were investigated using standard chemical and microbiological methods. Different antibiotics (amoxicillin, amoxicillin clavulanic acid, chloramphenicol, cloxacillin, cotrimoxazole, erythromycin, gentamicin, nalidixic, nitrofurantoin, ofloxacin, streptomycin and tetracycline) were screened against two indicator organisms ( Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli ) isolated from water samples. The distances of the wells from the foot of the nearby dump sites ranges from 85.3 to 25.7 m. The pH values of the water samples ranged between 5.86 and 7.84. The turbidity of the water samples was also between 1.0 and 8.0 NTU. Five heavy metals were detected in the water samples with zinc having the highest value. The observed concentrations of metals in the wells water samples were presented as Zn˃Pb˃Cu˃Co˃Hg. The total bacterial count of the water samples from the well ranged between 2.2 × 10 1 cfu/ml and 2.51 × 10 2 cfu/ml while the coliform load ranged from 9.1 × 10 1 cfu/ml and 1.3 × 10 1 cfu/ml. Cloxacillin and tetracycline were not effective against the most of the E. faecalis isolates. Only 48 (71.66 %) and 53 (88.33 %) E. faecalis strains were sensitive to cloxacillin and tetracycline, respectively. Gentamicin was most effective on E. faecalis . Out of the eight antibiotics tested, ofloxacin was most effective against the pathogen. The quality of the water samples were below the tolerable level and unfit for domestic purposes.

매립장 인근 지하수질이 LPG 저장 공동의 수리지질학적 특성에 미치는 영향

석유 제품 지하 저장 공동의 지하수 수질은 공동 인근 매립지 수질의 영향을 받는다. 매립지 주변의 지하수 수질 분석 결과, 시료의 반 정도에서 지하공동 수질에 영향이 미미한 농도의 As, Cu 및 Pb가 검출되었으며, Cd, Hg, Cr6+, CN-, TCE, PCE 및 Pheno은 검출되지 않았다. CODMn의 농도는 모든 시료에서 8.0㎎/l이하로 유기물질에 의한 지하수 오염은 거의 없는 것으로 분석되었다. 1차, 2차 미생물 분석결과 총박테리아는 각각 94.84x104cells/㎖ 과 146.26x10-4cells/㎖이고 황산환원 박테리아는 2cells/㎖이하로 분석되어 지하공동의 수질에 영향이 미미할 것으로 분석되었다. 저장 공동 인근 지역의 지하수 수질 분석은 공동의 수리 지질의 안정성을 향상시키기 위하여 지속적인 조사와 관리가 필요할 것으로 판단된다.

구제역 가축매몰지 인근 지하수 관측정 수질 모니터링

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the characteristics of leachate discharged from livestock burial sites in Gangwondo resulting from foot-and-mouth disease by monitoring the water quality at the survey tube-wells installed near livestock burial sites in order to investigate the effect of the leachate on the quality of nearby underground water and suggest a water pollution level in accordance with water quality evaluation criteria. Methods: To minimize the secondary environmental pollution damage caused by leachate at burial sites of livestock killed by foot-and-mouth disease, this study analyzed the leachate directly discharged from burial sites and installed survey tube-wells within 300 meters of livestock burial sites and investigated water quality as a means to ascertain the environmental effect of the leachate from the burial sites. In accordance with environmental management guidelines on livestock burial sites, this research investigated the water quality in the survey tube-wells in fifty five burial sites in Gangwondo. The elements investigated were <TEX>$NH_3$</TEX>-N, <TEX>$Cl^-$</TEX>, <TEX>$NO_3$</TEX>-N, conductivity, and E. coli. Water quality was monitored from 2011 to 2013. Results: The water quality from the drain pipe at the location of leachate from livestock burial sites showed BOD 37,209 mg/L, COD 8,829 mg/L, <TEX>$NH_3$</TEX>-N 3,633 mg/L, and <TEX>$Cl^-$</TEX> 580 mg/L. According to the monitoring results of water quality (<TEX>$Cl^-$</TEX>, <TEX>$NH_3$</TEX>-N, conductivity) at the survey tube-wells, there was suspicion that 13 out of 55 burial sites discharged leachate, five sites discharged highly concentrated leachate (13%): one in Gangneung, one in Wonju, and three in Cheorwon. Conclusion: It was judged that out of thirteen observation wells which showed a possibility of discharged leachate, three survey tube-wells have established the discharge effect of leachate at burial sites up to recently. Therefore, it is judged that it is necessary to continue monitoring them and devise additional measures.

Evaluation and Mitigation of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants from Soap Factories and Breweries in the Bafoussam City Vicinity (Western Highlands of Cameroon)

The discharge of wastewaters of industries in the Bafoussam city vicinity deteriorate the quality of surface and underground water and soils. The purpose of this study is to determine the level of ecotoxicity in the different industries and ways to mitigate this pollution. The following physico-chemical parameters were determined: COD, BOD 5, OM, TP, Cu, Cd, Zn, Cr, Fe, Al, EC, Turbidity, NH 4 + and NO 3 - from wastewaters from two soap factories (SWC and SCS) and one Brewery (ASCB) in Bafoussam. Statistical analysis, were made to determine the correlation coefficient R and covariance. R varies from 0.715 to 0.897. These coefficients indicate a positive correlation different from 1; hence, we cannot predict the parameters of an industry based on the parameters of the other. Total heavy metals contents range from 118.66 mg/L for SCS to 39.58 mg/L for the SWC and to 2.45 mg/L for the ASCB. COD ranges from 122 to 959 mg/L; the highest value was obtained in the SCS. These results indicate that the SCS is the most polluting industry. To reduce the pollution we recommended that each industry recycle its wastewater and put in place specific treatment plants because pollutants to eliminate vary depending on the industry. The Municipal community is also advised to institute sensitization meetings with the promoters of these industries on proper wastewater handling and treatment. Penalties for pollution should be proportional to the degree of pollution.

The long post-closure period of a kaolin mine

Aiming at deriving good practice recommendations for mine closure, this paper reviews the case of a kaolin mine whose production ceased more than ten years ago, but as yet didn't meet its completion criteria. Document review, interviews and site visits showed that: (i) rework was needed to satisfactorily implement land rehabilitation measures such as contouring, slope stabilization, erosion and sediment control and revegetation; (ii) underground water quality was affected during mine operation, causing the mine to be included in the State contaminated sites register. Despite being a small operation, the closure of this mine illustrates a number of problems faced by mining companies in planning and implementing mine closure measures: (1) lack of clear land rehabilitation objectives; (2) the need to manage liabilities related to contaminated sites; (3) loss of organizational memory. The research found that good practices, generally recommended in guidebooks, were not adopted by the company. The main lesson from this relatively simple case - a small mine situated near a dynamic and expanding urban area - are that decommissioning and closure cannot be a makeshift add-on to mine management; these are not trivial activities and require careful planning and integration with mine planning itself.

Improved Fuzzy Equilibrium Average Type Comprehensive Evaluation Method in the Application of Water Quality Evaluation

In order to improve the traditional fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model of main factors, the paper used the shortage of the outstanding balance average type instead of traditional fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method in the evaluation process and takes big or small algorithm, this method to avoid maximum membership principle may cause information loss, more objective quantitative determination of water quality class. This paper Liaozhong waterfront city underground water quality testing data as the basis, an improved fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method to evaluate, the result is due to the area of iron and manganese from groundwater seriously overweight cause groundwater quality grade V. Show that the method of water quality evaluation, the result more objective and accurate.

Mapping hotspots of underground water quality based on the variation of chemical concentration in Amman, Zarqa and Balqa regions, Jordan

This study uses geographic information systems to map the hotspots level changes in underground water quality based on pH, nitrate and conductivity in Amman, Zarqa and Balqa regions, Jordan using data from 57 wells. The chemical concentration for each parameter was obtained from the Water Authority of Jordan. The data were tested according to ISO/IEC 17025 standards by the Jordan Inorganic Laboratory of the Laboratories and Quality Department of Water Authority for 2004 and 2010 and were processed using Getis-Ord Gi statistics. The study indicated that there are periodic fluctuations for the values of selected chemical elements of groundwater that are localized, creating contamination hotspots within the study regions. The pH, nitrate and conductivity all indicated specific hotspots of higher than average values in 2004 and 2010 in the Zarqa region. The evidence indicates that there are two major localized areas of high value for all parameters centered in the western Zarqa region, an area dominated by urban infrastructure and irrigated lands. These findings have implications for the management of aquifer water quality through the identification of high-value hotspots. Because the aquifers in the regions are connected, understanding the hotspots with high pH, nitrate and conductivity values may enable improvements in the water quality across the aquifer systems in the regions.

Ranking of ecotoxisity tests for underground water assessment using the Hasse diagram technique

The present study deals with the novel application of the Hasse diagram technique (HDT) for the specific ranking of ecotoxicity tests capable of assessment of underground water quality. The area studied is a multi-municipal landfill in the northern Poland. The monitoring network of the landfill constitutes of 27piezometers for underground water monitoring and two observation points at surface water courses. After sampling, chemical analysis of various water parameters was performed (pH, conductivity, temperature, turbidity (TURB), color, taste, smell and atmospheric conditions: temperature, precipitation and cloud cover, heavy metals content (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr6+, Hg), total organic carbon (TOC), sum of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), Na, Mg, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Ni, alkalinity (Alkal), general hardness, total suspended matter (SUSP), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), chlorides, fluorides, sulphides, sulphates, ammonium nitrogen, total nitrogen, nitrate and nitrite nitrogen, volatile phenols, ether extracts (ETHER), dry residues (DRY_RES), dissolved compounds). Parallel to the chemical parameters assessment six different ecotoxicity tests were applied (% root length(PG)/germination(PR) inhibition of Sorghum saccharatum (respectively PGSS/PRSS), Sinapis alba (respectively PGSA/PRSA), Lepidium sativum (respectively PGLS/PRLS), % bioluminescence inhibition of Vibrio fischeri (MT), % mortality of Daphnia magna (DM), % mortality of Thamnocephalus platyrus (TN)). In order to determine the applicability of the various ecotoxicity tests, a ranking of samples from different monitoring levels according to the test used (attributes) is done by using HDT. Further, the sensitivity of the biotests was determined and compared. From the sensitivity analysis of the both monitoring levels was evident that the choice of ecotoxicity tests could be optimized by the use of HDT strategy. Most reliable results could be expected by the application of root growth inhibition of Sorghum saccharatum (PGSS test).In order to clarify the relationship between the chemical parameters measured and each of the ecotoxicity tests a optimized similarity analysis between Hasse diagrams for the ecotoxicity tests for different levels of monitoring and Hasse diagrams obtained by the use of the chemical parameters was performed. Finally, it could be concluded that for reliable monitoring of underground waters passing a dump collector following chemical parameters are of significance: water hardness, dissolved matter, total nitrogen (ammonia and nitrate nitrogen), nickel, chlorides, alkalinity, total organic carbon and ether extract and the proper battery test could include PGSA, PGSS and PRSS.

GEOSTATISTICAL HYDROGEOCHEMICAL 3D MODEL FOR KŁODZKO UNDERGROUND WATER INTAKE AREA PARAMETERS OF UNDERGROUND WATERS

Abstract The paper presents the first stage of research on a geostatistical hydrogeochemical 3D model dedicated to the horizontal and vertical spatial and time variation in the topographical, hydrological and quality parameters of underground water in the Kłodzko water intake area. The research covers the period 1977-2012. For this purpose various thematic databases, containing original data on coordinates X, Y (latitude and longitude) and Z (terrain elevation and time - years) and on regionalized variables, i.e., the underground water quality parameters in the Kłodzko water intake area determined for different analytical configurations (22 wells, 14 wells, 14 wells + 3 piezometers), were created. The data were subjected to spatial analyses using statistical methods. The input for the studies was the chemical determination of the quality parameters of underground water samples taken from the wells in the water intake area in different periods of time. Both archival data (acquired in the years 1977-1999, 1977-2011) and the latest data (collected in November 2011 and in January 2012) were analyzed. First, the underground water intake area with 22 wells was investigated. Then in order to assess the current quality of the underground water, 14 wells out of the 22 wells were selected for further chemical analyses and a collection siphon wall was included. Recently, three new piezometers were installed in the water intake area and so new water samples were taken, whereby the databases were supplemented with new chemical determinations. The variation in the topographical parameter (terrain elevation) and in the hydrogeological parameters: water abstraction level Z (with and without the land layout being taken into account) and the depth of occurrence of the water table, was examined. Subsequently, the variation in quality parameters was studied on the basis of data coming from 22 wells, then 14 wells and finally from 14 wells and 3 piezometers. The variation in: Fe, Mn, ammonium ions NH4 +, nitrite anion NO3 - and phosphate anion PO4 -3 content values, total organic carbon (TOC) C content, the pH reaction and temperature (°C) of the water was investigated. The basic statistics and distribution histograms of the topographical, hydrogeological and quality parameters (22 wells, 14 wells, 14 wells + 3 piezometers; the years: 1977-1999, 2011, 2011-2012) were estimated and detailed characteristics of the variation in the parameters in the whole underground water intake area over the years were obtained. Generally, the behaviour of the underground water quality parameters has been found to vary in space and time. Thanks to the multidirectional spatial analyses of the variation in the quality parameters in the Kłodzko underground water intake area some regularities in the variation in water quality have been identified.

Application of electrical resistivity tomography methods for delineation of groundwater contamination and potential zones

Identification of damages/changes that are affecting the underground water quality due to the effect of anthropogenic activities is often done after environmental problems have become evident or water portability being strongly affected. Two main applications of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) methods have been addressed covering characterization of leachate movement from a composting area of a Sugar Mill in Southern India. Good correlation has been obtained between ERT and groundwater quality assessments as well as from groundwater monitoring data sets. The study helped in conceptualization of hydrogeologic framework in basaltic terrain. Impacts on groundwater regime associated with urbanization and industrialization can easily be assessed through the variation of resistivity in the inverse resistivity pseudo-section model of the ERT investigations. Assessment of groundwater potential in an upcoming Urban Node, Greater Hyderabad city has been illustrated in the second example. Identification of good thickness of weathered regolith for location of water harvesting through Green Fingers evolved. The small infrastructure would help carrying of enhanced surface runoff as well as to sustain groundwater yield in the urban node and thereby ensuring sustainable groundwater resource exploitation. The above studies have illustrated immense potential of the ERT tools in the assessment of groundwater contamination as well as groundwater potential.

Quality of underground irrigation water in central alluvial region of Punjab, India

Quality of underground irrigation water in Central alluvial Region of the Punjab has been studied on the basis of 275 water samples collected from 11 districts which coverS 54 blocks and 104 villages in such a way that almost whole of the region was covered. On the basis of electrical conductivity 96, 3 and 1 per cent samples fall in the category of < 2000, 2000–4000 and > 4000 μmhos cm−1, respectively. Whereas on the basis of residual sodium carbonate 70.9, 19.7 and 9.5 per cent samples fall in the category of < 2.5, 2.5–5.0, > 5.0 me L−1, respectively. Taking into consideration both electrical conductivity and residual sodium carbonate 70.9, 19.7 and 9.5 per cent water samples were found to be fit, marginal and unfit, respectively for irrigation purposes

Assessment of Underground Tube Well Water Quality in Different Agro-climatic Regions of the Punjab State, India

During the past five decades, Punjab has witnessed a tremendous progress in agricultural production. Improved irrigational facilities, especially, the increased utilization of underground water resources among others, have played a major role in giving a boost to agriculture sector. Due to increased dependence on these, underground water quality in certain areas has deteriorated posing a serious health concern for the environment. Assessment of the ground water quality may provide useful information to ensure sustainable use of the natural resources for various purposes. The present study was conducted in June–July 2012 with the objectives of investigating the quality and suitability of irrigation water in the three agro-climatic regions, namely, sub-mountaneous, central and south western of Punjab. Various water parameters viz., pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), cations (Ca2+ and Mg2+) and anions (CO32-, HCO3− and Cl−) were analysed using standard procedures. Based on the residual sodium carbonate values, all the samples in the sub-mountaneous region were found to be fully fit for irrigation, while in the central and south western regions only around 40% and 41% of the tube well water samples were found to be fully fit for irrigation. In certain areas, higher values of residual sodium content in the tube well water samples were observed, possibly, due to lower concentration of Ca + Mg ions. Poorly drained or fine textured soils if irrigated with these waters, could witness the development of black kallar. Around 2% samples in the south-western region were found to be unfit for irrigation on the basis of EC values. This indicates towards higher accumulation of soluble salts in underground water aquifers of the region. Efficient water resource management along with the judicious use of these resources with proper amendments is necessary to avoid any impeding health hazards in these salt-affected regions of Punjab.