Abstract

Groundwater is the primary source of drinking water in Chandrapur district, Central India; however, rapid industrialization, coal mining, and urban expansion have raised serious concerns regarding its quality. The present study evaluates the groundwater quality of Chandrapur district using the Water Quality Index (WQI) approach to provide an integrated assessment of its suitability for drinking purposes. A total of 36 groundwater samples were collected during the post-monsoon season from hand pumps and dug wells across different sub-districts of the district. Physicochemical parameters, including pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), chloride, alkalinity, total hardness, fluoride, arsenic, iron, and manganese, were analyzed following standard methods as described in American Public Health Association (APHA), and WQI values were computed using weighted arithmetic index methodology. The calculated WQI values ranged from 85 to 874, indicating wide spatial variability in groundwater quality. Only two samples (5.55%) were classified as good quality water, while the majority fell into poor (63.88%), very poor (25.00%), and unsuitable (5.55%) categories. Elevated concentrations of TDS, hardness, fluoride, arsenic, iron, and manganese were identified as the major contributors to groundwater quality deterioration. The dominance of poor to unsuitable groundwater quality reflects the combined influence of shallow aquifer conditions, favourable permeability, intensive mining and industrial activities, and surface-derived contamination. The results reveal that more than 94% of groundwater sources in the district are unsuitable for direct human consumption without treatment. The study highlights the urgent need for regular groundwater monitoring, implementation of appropriate treatment technologies, and strengthened regulation of industrial effluents. The WQI-based assessment provides a valuable decision-support tool for sustainable groundwater management and public health protection in Chandrapur district.

Keywords: Groundwater quality, Water quality index, Chandrapur, Central India