ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Contamination Potential Assessment of Potable
Groundwater in Lahore, Pakistan
Malik Muhammad Akhtar1, Zhonghua Tang1, Bahaa Mohamadi2
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1Department of Water Resources and Hydrogeology, School of Environmental Sciences,
China University of Geosciences, 388 Lumo Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430047, P.R. China
2School of Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences,
388 Lumo Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430047, P.R. China
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2014;23(6):1905-1916
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
The water supply in Lahore, Pakistan, is totally dependent on groundwater, which is creating a number
of challenges due to mismanagement of groundwater resources and an exploding population. An unconfined
aquifer is receiving pollutants from a poor drainage system, non-scientific landfills, and through untreated
effluents from industries and domestic sources. A study was conducted to evaluate groundwater qualities: total
dissolved solids, total hardness, pH, alkalinity, and turbidity. Using geographic information system (GIS),
drinking water quality zones were developed with groundwater chemical analysis data. Applying World
Health Organization (WHO) drinking water standards, 61% of the total area is excellent, 27% is good, 9% is
moderate and 3% has poor quality, while only 5% of the area is excellent, 29% is good, 34% is moderate, and
32% is not suitable for drinking purposes using Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA)
drinking water standards. According to 2010 groundwater chemical analysis data, most areas have suitable
zones for drinking purposes; however, there is high risk of continuous contamination. Finally, this study identifies
highly contaminated groundwater zones and makes it convenient to find actual pollutants. Therefore,
plans are needed to protect the aquifer.