Groundwater Quality Assessments For Drinking Purposes Based On WQI And GIS In The Plain Of Tabelbala, South-West Algeria

The degradation of the aquifer environment has increasingly become a matter of global significance. Recently, urban discharges of toxic chemicals and organic elements are constantly polluting the aquifers in our region, leading to eutrophication of the reservoirs. This effect becomes a global concern due to the dangerous impact that can have on public health. The current investigation aims to conduct a qualitative assessment of the groundwater in the aquifers of the Tabelbala plain using the GWQI method. A total of 176 boreholes is examined in this investigation, analyzing various physicochemical parameters such as EC, pH, main cations, and anions. The analysis of the collected data indicates that a significant portion of the total surface area, precisely 62.8%, falls under the category of poor water quality. This area is primarily located in the center (Chraîa) and west of the study area. Additionally, around 18.15% of the surface area is classified as very poor quality, which is mainly observed in the village of Tabelbala and north of Charai. Furthermore, it should be noted that the northeastern part of the plain is characterized by a good water class, which accounts for over 12% of the total surface area. Conversely, the southern part of the plain is particularly prevalent in the non-potable class, which covers 6.34% of the total surface area. The use of remote sensing and GIS technology has produced outcomes that can be employed as a precautionary measure to prevent the consumption of water from regions with inferior quality and ensuring the security of individuals.