Determination of water quality of surface water resources of central Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir, India

The present work aims at assessing the water quality index (WQI) in the surface water bodies of Noorbagh (Srinagar) and Narkara (Budgam) situated in central Kashmir of Jammu and Kashmir by monitoring fifteen sampling points within each location. The surface water samples were subjected to comprehensive physico-chemical analysis involving major cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+,), anions (HCO3-, CO3-, Cl-, SO42-, NO3-, PO43-, B-) besides general parameters (pH, EC and TDS). For calculating the WQI, nine parameters namely, pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, sodium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, sulphate, and nitrate nitrogen were considered. SAR and boron values indicated that both Noorbagh and Narkara surface water bodies are excellent (S1) for irrigation, while electrical conductivity values classified that waters of both the locations fall under medium salinity (C2) category. Further, it is apparent from WQI values that surface water bodies of Noorbagh and Narkara belong to excellent water class with WQI values of 22.9 and 15.0 respectively.