GROUNDWATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT IN THE SUBURBAN LOCALITIES OF HADAPSAR, PUNE USING WQI METHODOLOGY

Water Quality Index (WQI) approach has been utilized in this study to evaluate groundwater quality in suburban areas of Hadapsar, Pune, India. From borewells and open wells in Hadapsar and nearby area. Thirty-two groundwater samples were gathered. Physicochemical analysis revealed that calcium was the major cation, followed by magnesium, sodium, and potassium, while bicarbonate was the dominant anion. For Mg, K, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, some samples have been above allowable levels. 68.75% of samples were of good quality for drinking, according to WQI values, while 28.12% of samples have been of outstanding quality. Indicators of irrigation water quality, including the MH (Magnesium Hazard), SSP (Soluble Sodium Percentage), Percent Sodium (%Na), RSC (Residual Sodium Carbonate), and SAR (Sodium Adsorption Ratio), demonstrated that groundwater was suitable for irrigation with negligible risks related to sodium, salinity, and carbonate contents. This research highlights the significance of regular monitoring as well as analysis of groundwater resources in rapidly urbanizing areas to ensure sustainability and safety of drinking and irrigation purposes. These results offer important new information about pollution control methods, sustainable urban planning, and the management of water resources in Pune's expanding periphery.