Assessment of Water Quality Using Physicochemical Parameters and Water Quality Index: A Case Study from Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

This study evaluates the physicochemical properties of drinking-water resources in Gram Panchayat Bajuri, Hamirpur District, Himachal Pradesh, to assess their suitability for human consumption. Five water samples collected from different sources, namely a handpump, three stepwells, and a tap-water supply, were analysed for key parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO), total hardness (TH), total alkalinity (TA), calcium, and magnesium. The results indicated that pH values (7.16–7.56) were within permissible limits, while TDS levels (278–432 mg L⁻¹) remained below the threshold of 500 mg L⁻¹. Electrical conductivity ranged from 0.29 to 0.41 µS cm⁻¹, with the highest value recorded in the tap-water sample (S4), indicating only minor variation in dissolved ionic content among the sampling sites. DO levels (6.91–7.98 mg L⁻¹) indicated adequate oxygenation, whereas total hardness and alkalinity were relatively higher in some samples. The WQI classified the handpump water from Rada village and the tap water from Ghirtheri village as poor, indicating the need for regular monitoring and appropriate treatment before consumption. In contrast, the stepwell samples from Bajuri, Nijhar, and Ghirtheri villages were classified as good. The study underscores the need for regular monitoring and appropriate treatment interventions to maintain safe drinking-water quality in rural areas. However, the findings are based solely on physicochemical parameters and should be interpreted with caution because microbiological quality was not evaluated. The WQI proved to be an effective tool for evaluating the overall physicochemical quality of drinking water and supporting local water-resource management.