Investigation of Groundwater Suitability for Drinking and Irrigation in Selected Villages of Imphal East District, Manipur, India
This study evaluates the suitability of groundwater for drinking and irrigation in selected villages of Imphal East District, Manipur, India, through comprehensive physicochemical analysis. Twenty groundwater samples were collected post-monsoon (2023) and analyzed for parameters including pH, TDS, EC, alkalinity, hardness, major ions (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻), and irrigation indices (SAR, RSC, %Na, KR, MH). Results revealed alkaline pH (8.2–8.8), elevated TDS (242–1100 mg/L), and high alkalinity (261.9–463.5 mg/L), with 75% of samples classified as "very poor" for drinking based on Water Quality Index (WQI). Only 5% exceeded permissible nitrate limits, but excessive sodium and bicarbonate levels indicated anthropogenic contamination from agriculture and poor sanitation. For irrigation, while all samples had excellent Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR <10), 25% exhibited high sodium hazards (%Na >60%), and 15% were unfit due to Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC >2.5 meq/L). Magnesium Hazard (MH) rendered 40% of samples unsafe for Mg-sensitive crops, and Kelly’s Ratio (KR) flagged 35% as sodium-dominant, risking soil degradation. Statistical correlations linked salinity (TDS-EC-Na⁺-K⁺) to agricultural runoff and natural weathering, while weak nitrate correlations suggested localized pollution. The study underscores urgent interventions: community water treatment, regulated fertilizer use, and soil amendments to mitigate sodicity. Long-term solutions include rainwater harvesting and sustained groundwater monitoring. These findings provide critical data for policymakers to implement sustainable water management, ensuring safe drinking water and agricultural viability in the region.