Assessment and Characterization of Irrigation Quality of Ground Water in Bahawalpur District, Pakistan.

Abstract

Ground water development has contributed significantly to food security and reduction in poverty in Pakistan. Due to rapid population growth, there has been a dramatic increase in the intensity of ground water exploitation leading to declining water table and deteriorating ground water quality. In such prevailing conditions, hydro geological appraisal of escalating ground water exploitation has become a paramount importance. Keeping in this view, a study was undertaken to categorize suitability of ground water in the area of Bahawalpur district for irrigation purpose.  Total 19207 water samples were collected from all the five tehsils of district Bahawalpur during the year July 2011 to June 2013. These samples were analyzed and categorized according to suitability criteria of water quality evaluation. 39 percent water samples were found fit, 12 percent were marginally fit and 49 percent water samples were found unfit for irrigation purpose. Majority of water samples were found hazardous for irrigation purpose. The soils under study were heavy texture, medium alkaline, low to medium in P and high in K. It is suggested that there is urgent need to evaluate the effects of tube well water on crop yields.

Keywords: EC, SAR, RSC, Ground water, Bahawalpur, Pakistan.