INTERRELATIONSHIP OF GEOLOGY AND WATER QUALITY: A CASE STUDY OF ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Water is the most important resource for life. A significant part of geology, which is the study of the Earth, is the study of water in terms of hydrogeology; how water and rock interact with each other. Rocks can not only facilitate water and provide it path but can also alter its chemistry. This study aims to highlight the relationship between the geology and water quality in the study area of Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan. Forty-seven (47) samples were collected from all over the city at various locations from either bore water sources, filtration plants and surface streams and tested for their physical and chemical as well as heavy metal properties. Physical parameters including pH, EC, TDS, Salts, Temperature were analyzed. Chemical parameters including amount of Chlorides, Sodium, Carbonates, Calcium, Alkalinity and Total Hardness and heavy metals including Iron and Arsenic were analyzed. On the basis of the results we confirmed presence of Carbonates, Salts and other elements were due to geological formations present in the area (Margalla Hill Limestone, Murree Formation, Kamilal Formation, Lei conglomerates) which are concentrated with high Calcium, Salts and Carbonates. The Physical, Chemical and Heavy metal tests yielded results within normal limits set by EPA so there is no risk of hazardous contamination from natural causes except one sample which showed anomalously high EC, TDS and Salt values, for which any natural reasons have been identified.