Assessment of Soil Quality and Drinking Water (Tap Water) Quality in Selected Regions of Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

Soil and drinking water quality are central to environmental sustainability, agricultural production and human well-being. This study assessed the physicochemical characteristics of tap water and agricultural soil at nine sampling sites in Palampur, Baijnath and Nagrota Bagwan, Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh. Tap-water samples were collected monthly from November 2025 to May 2026, whereas soil samples were collected in November 2025 and May 2026. Water pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, turbidity, alkalinity, total hardness, calcium hardness, magnesium hardness and chloride were determined using APHA-recommended procedures. Soil pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon and available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were also analysed. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation were applied. Water pH ranged from 6.35 to 7.38, and most measured water-quality parameters were within the stated permissible limits, although one pH value was slightly below the BIS lower limit of 6.5. Electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids showed a very strong positive correlation (r = 0.999). Soil pH ranged from 5.1 to 6.9, indicating slightly acidic to neutral conditions, while electrical conductivity values indicated non-saline soils. Organic carbon ranged from 0.5% to 1.5%, available nitrogen from 94.08 to 330 kg/ha, available phosphorus from 11.2 to 23 kg/ha and available potassium from 201.6 to 336 kg/ha. The findings demonstrate spatial and seasonal variability and provide baseline information for local soil- and water-management planning.