Evaluation of the Hydrochemical and Water Quality Characteristics of an Aquifer Located in an Urbanized Area

Groundwater is an important source of fresh water in the world. However, the excessive extraction and increasing pollution represent a major challenge for water sustainability in Mexico. Nowadays, since water quality changes in aquifers are not noticeable, aquifer monitoring and assessment are imperious. In this study, the water quality of the Cuernavaca aquifer was evaluated using a database of 23 parameters in 4 sampling points from 2012 to 2019. The spatial behavior of water quality variables was described by using interpolation. The temporal evaluation of groundwater quality was carried out through time series. Water quality indices (WQI) were obtained in this aquifer and the WQI values suggest that the groundwater could be considered as good quality for potable use and of medium-high quality for irrigation. The chemical characteristics of the groundwater were also evaluated using Gibb, Piper, and Schoeller diagrams. Finally, with a total of 34 samples of each parameter in each sampling site, a multivariate statistical analysis was performed using a Pearson correlation and hierarchical cluster analysis. This analysis showed a correlation between hydrochemical features and groundwater quality parameters, where nitrates presented the highest number of significant correlations with other parameters. These results may be useful for the authorities to adopt planning methods to improve the sustainable development of the aquifer.

Automated summary

Groundwater is an important freshwater source worldwide, but excessive extraction and pollution pose challenges for water sustainability in Mexico. This study evaluates the water quality of the Cuernavaca aquifer and finds that the groundwater is suitable for potable use and irrigation. Statistical analysis reveals significant correlations between nitrates and other parameters, providing insights for improving the sustainable development of the aquifer.