An Investigation of Quality of Groundwater of Taluka Nawabshah

Sixty five water samples (four surface water and sixty one groundwater) were collected from taluka Nawabshah and were analyzed for physico-chemical parameters; pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved salts (TDS) and heavy metals, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Co, Pb, Ni and Cd. The results were obtained in the ranges; pH 6.95-8.87, EC 239-13170 µS/cm and TDS 153-8429. The concentration of heavy metals was observed in the ranges; Fe 46-1070 µg/L, Zn 0-460 µg/L, Cu 3-311 µg/L, Mn 4-418 µg/L, Co 0-33 µg/L, Pb 6-50 µg/L, Ni 0-37µg/L and Cd 0-18µg/L. The results were compared with world health organization (WHO) and local standards set for drinking water. Contamination index of groundwater was observed within 0.2-20.7. Only two water samples (both surface water) were observed suitable for drinking purpose, but all the remaining samples were highly contaminated with toxic heavy metals. An elevated level of toxic heavy metals in the groundwater of the area is of great concern.