Vulnerability mapping and spatial distribution of Drinking Water quality parameters through Geo-statistical modelling of Punjab Province, Pakistan (T-1322) (MFN 6258)

Abstract

Geostatistical analysis technique for groundwater quality has been applied in current study for spatial distribution of water quality parameters. The prime objective was to use GIS tool for comprehensive understanding of water quality. Water quality parameters i.e electrical conductivity (EC), arsenic (As), pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), sulphate (SO4), iron (Fe), nitrate (NO3), fluoride (F), alkalinity are used and comparison has been made with world health organization (WHO) standards. Spatial distribution maps of all districts in Punjab province were generated. Vulnerability maps of each district and three zones of Punjab were completed. District Narowal, Sargodha and Hafizabad are considered as most unsafe districts and more than 60% of the area for water quality is not according to WHO standards. After all spatial data analysis of districts it is found that only 61% of the area of Punjab province for drinking water quality is safe and meets WHO standards. Analysis of spatial data of Punjab province including all districts shows that Northern zone of Punjab is consider as most Vulnerable zone and only 45.33% area consists of clean drinking water according to WHO standards.