Page 150 - AJWEP-22-6

Yadav, et al.

periods, respectively. Variations in water quality were is essential for regulating hydrochemical processes and
primarily associated with water-rock interactions, safeguarding groundwater quality.
mineralization, and anthropogenic inputs. Industrial The groundwater quality in the industrial area of
activities and municipal waste have been identified as Bharatpur, Chitwan district, is potentially affected by
significant sources of groundwater contamination. Raja anthropogenic activities, such as industrial discharge,
et al. investigated the impact of industrial activities agricultural runoff, and improper waste disposal.
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and municipal dumpsites on metal contamination Contaminants, such as NO , heavy metals, and
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in Virudhunagar, India. This research is crucial for pathogens, may pose health risks to the population. This
developing strategies to mitigate industrial impacts on study introduces a novel assessment of groundwater
groundwater. In Uttar Pradesh, India, Tiwari and Singh quality near the industrial area, which has not been
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conducted a hydrogeochemical investigation, revealing previously explored, highlighting a significant research
that groundwater was alkaline and exceeded desirable gap in this context. By focusing on the specific impacts
limits for NO , F , total dissolved solids (TDS), and of industrial activities on groundwater, this research
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total hardness (TH). This underscores the importance uncovers critical contamination issues that have not
of considering multiple water quality parameters in been extensively documented in this region to date.
assessments. Ali et al. assessed groundwater quality in A systematic assessment of groundwater quality is
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the Achnera block, Agra district, India, using the water essential to ensure safe drinking water and to inform
quality index (WQI) and principal component analysis policy decisions. Despite the heavy reliance on
(PCA). Analysis of 50 groundwater samples revealed groundwater in Chitwan, comprehensive data on its
that the water was alkaline, with WQI values ranging physicochemical characteristics and quality remain
from 105 to 185, indicating that most samples were limited. Existing studies of nearby areas, such as
unsuitable for drinking. PCA identified pH, sodium Kathmandu and Lalitpur, 49-51 are often localized or focus
ions, calcium ions (Ca ), bicarbonate ions (HCO ), and on specific contaminants, leaving a gap in understanding
2+
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F as key factors related to geogenic F contamination. the overall groundwater quality and its spatial and
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Thus, treatment is necessary to render the water temporal variations. Therefore, the novelty of this work
potable. Similarly, Mahato et al. investigated aquifer lies in it being the first detailed analysis of groundwater
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contaminants and groundwater quality, observing that quality in the Bharatpur industrial zone, where no prior
all parameters under analysis fell within the WHO’s studies have systematically examined contamination
permissible limits for drinking water, except for pH, risks. Moreover, the integration of statistical analyses
iron, ammonia (NH ), and turbidity. F and manganese (correlation and regression) to identify pollution
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concentrations did not meet the Nepal Drinking Water sources and interrelationships between parameters has
Quality Standards (NDWQSs). 44 not previously been applied in this region. The findings
In the Terai region of Nepal, extensive exploitation provide critical baseline data for local authorities to
of aquifers through tube wells supplies water to enforce industrial waste management regulations.
approximately 90% of the population. Fractured This study aims to evaluate the groundwater quality
basement aquifers are predominantly replenished by near the industrial area of Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal,
monsoon precipitation. Over 98% of groundwater a region facing unregulated industrial discharges,
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withdrawals connected to rivers flowing across to assess its suitability for drinking and to identify
the Siwalik Hills are found to be enriched with contamination sources by applying statistical tools,
arsenic, 46,47 potentially due to baseflow contributions. such as correlation, regression, and the WQI to interpret
Globally, aquifers face increasing pollution threats contamination patterns. It also aims to determine
from industrial and urban activities. Thus, extensive whether the groundwater parameters comply with the
studies on groundwater quality are necessary to WHO and NDWQS standards. The investigation of
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inform practical measures for protecting groundwater increased pollutants, such as NH , phosphate (PO ),
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resources. Unregulated and mismanaged groundwater and Escherichia coli represents a pioneering approach
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exploitation has led to significant health impacts, to evaluating the extent and sources of groundwater
with an estimated 25,000 deaths occurring daily due contamination due to industrial processes. The
to water contamination. Moreover, one-third of urban implications of these findings are substantial for both
dwellers in developing nations do not have access to national prosperity and public health. These techniques
clean drinking water. Addressing these issues through help identify the major factors affecting groundwater
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targeted research and periodic water quality parameters quality and potential contamination sources. The

Volume 22 Issue 6 (2025) 144 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025120083