Groundwater Contamination Study of Faisalabad and Sargodha Metropolitan Cities

The groundwater is one of the most important sources for fulfilling daily needs. Groundwater for drinking purposes is the biggest source in Pakistan, but due to population explosion, the rapid development of industrialization, deforestation, urbanization and unplanned housing schemes on agricultural lands are the major reasons for groundwater contamination and deterioration. The work emphasized evaluating the physicochemical characteristics of the groundwater of the two cities of Punjab, Faisalabad and Sargodha for drinking purposes. Overall thirty samples were collected in triplicate, fifteen from each city, Faisalabad and Sargodha, respectively. Physicochemical parameters, trace elements and microbiological analysis were conducted. The results revealed that the quantities of Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Sodium (Na), Chloride (Cl), and TDS were significantly higher than the permissible limits of WHO in the majority of the samples from Sargodha, while TDS, TH, were higher in most samples of Faisalabad. The studied trace elements Aluminum (Al), Chromium (Cr), Arsenic (As), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Cobalt (Co), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Selenium (Se), Cadmium (Cd), and Lead (Pb) were found under safe limits of WHO except Cr, Cd, Se and Mn in Sargodha city and in Faisalabad Se and Cd were found to be crossing WHO levels in few locations. The samples from Faisalabad were found microbiologically unsafe as compared to Sargodha. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the area's most dominant anion was chloride. Many processes are involved in changing water chemistry, and the water quality was controlled by rock water interaction and evaporation procedures. The study concluded that the area's water was brackish; due to this, the water was found unsuitable for drinking purposes. Therefore, the supply of safe water and water treatment plant installations are highly recommended in these areas.