ASSESSING GROUNDWATER QUALITY DYNAMICS UNDER CLIMATE-INDUCED CHANGE BY RAINFALL AND TEMPERATURE PATTERNS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF WATER QUALITY SHIFTS OVER PAST DECADE IN MULTAN AND BAHAWALPUR, PUNJAB

Abstract

Ground water is polluting since long ago. Changing climate with less rainfall and increasing evaporation is crucial to long term water quality in arid regions. To assess hydro-chemical properties of Multan and Bahawalpur, ten years (2014-2024) ground water quality data along with temperature and rainfall was noted. In this study ground water samples were taken from various areas of Multan and Bahawalpur and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), calcium (Ca²⁺), Magnesium (Mg²⁺), potassium (K⁺), sodium (Na⁺), bicarbonates (HCO₃^-), sulphate (SO₄^2-), chloride (Cl^-), nitrate (NO₃^-), fluoride (F^-), microbial activity (T. coliform & E. coli) and heavy metal (As, Cd, Cr & Fe). Results obtained from analysis suggest that water is enriched with dissolved solids along with increased HCO₃^- and SO₄^2- govern by weathering of rocks and anthropogenic activities. Major water type in Multan is Na²⁺-Ca⁺ while in Bahawalpur water type is HCO₃^--SO₄^2-. Piper plot also describe mixed water type in Multan and bicarbonate-sulphate type usually predominant by water-rock interaction, evaporation and anthropogenic activities. Heavy metal concentration in ground water samples is directly connected to industrial effluents produces from industries leach down to ground water aquifers. Water Quality Index (WQI) of both cities also indicates hazardous nature of ground water sampled from all sampling sites. Ground water of both cities therefore require strict monitoring with tangible evidence of reducing fertilizers application as well as installation of water purification plants   to purify ground water for better public health.