Assessment of Groundwater Quality in Selected Areas of Tenali: A Model Study

Abstract

Rapid urbanization, increased tourism, and intensified agricultural activities over recent decades have exerted considerable pressure on freshwater resources, leading to growing concerns over water quality degradation. This study evaluates the drinking water quality of Tenali town, located in Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, using the Water Quality Index (WQI) based on the Weighted Arithmetic Index method. A comprehensive assessment was carried out by analyzing key physicochemical parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), total alkalinity, chloride (Cl⁻), nitrate (NO₃⁻), calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), fluoride (F⁻), and total hardness (TH). Water samples were collected from 25 locations across the study area, with five samples collected at each location, resulting in a total of 125 samples during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons of 2024. The computed WQ values were used to determine the suitability of water for drinking purposes and to identify spatial and seasonal variations in water quality within the study area.