An assessment of groundwater quality for irrigation and drinking purposes around brick kilns in three districts of Balochistan province, Pakistan, through water quality index and multivariate statistical approaches

Groundwater quality monitoring is important in an arid region like Balochistan province, Pakistan. This province is characterized by lack of recharge, high evaporation rate coupled with increasing withdrawal from aquifers leading to water scarcity situation. The aim of the current study was to assess the impacts of brick kilns pollution on the groundwater quality of the three districts of Balochistan. The groundwater quality was assessed through twenty-two (22) physiochemical parameters using standard protocols. The results of the study showed that analyzed physicochemical parameters were found above the permissible limits of WHO with few exceptions. According to Piper Hill diagram water of the study area was classified as CaCl and NaCl type. The calculated groundwater quality index (WQI) showed that water of the study area exhibited poor quality for drinking purpose. Sodium absorption ratio, residual sodium carbonate, sodium percentage, and permeability index were assessed for the suitability of the groundwater for irrigation purposes. Furthermore, the groundwater of the study area was found suitable for irrigation purpose only in terms of sodium absorption ratio and permeability index. Multivariate statistical approaches such as principal component analysis, cluster analysis, and correlation matrix were successfully used for spatial variability, source apportionment and interdependence of various variables in the current study. The results of these multivariate statistical approaches revealed the contribution of both natural and anthropogenic activities in altering the hydrochemistry of the groundwater of the study area. It is concluded, that remedial measures are urgently needed to safeguard the health of local people depending on the consumption of contaminated groundwater of the study area.