Evaluation of groundwater quality for drinking and agriculture uses: A case study of Nagarkurnool Watershed, Telangana State

The groundwater quality evaluates its suitability for drinking and agricultural purposes in the watershed region of Nagarkurnool district. Twenty three groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for physico-chemical parameters such as pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl^-, HCO₃-, CO₃^2-, SO₄^2-, NO₃ and F^-. Based on analytical results, the hydroeochemical facies showed dominant Na-Mg-Ca-HCO₃-Cl and mixed Na-Ca-Mg-Cl groundwater types. Water Quality Index of the study area shows that overall 30% of groundwater samples are of poor quality while the remaining are of excellent to good class. Factor analysis indicates that hydrogeochemical processes like weathering, ion exchange and anthropogenic activities have contributed to groundwater chemistry. The sodium percentage in the study area is of excellent to good categories except for 20% of groundwater samples that are doubtful to unsuitable types. US Salinity Index of the analyzed groundwater samples shows high salinity and low sodium. Based on irrigation water quality sodium adsorption ratio, residual sodium carbonate, Kelle’s ratio, magnesium hazard and permeability index were assessed.