International Journal of
Physical Sciences

  • Abbreviation: Int. J. Phys. Sci.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1992-1950
  • DOI: 10.5897/IJPS
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 2568

Full Length Research Paper

Application of geographical information system (GIS) to groundwater quality investigation: A case study of Mardan district, Pakistan

Tariq Usman Saeed1*, Abdul Aziz2, Taj Ali Khan2 and Haleema AttaUllah3
  1Assistant Director (Policy and Traffic), Transport Department, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. 2Department of Agriculture Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar, Pakistan. 3Department of Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar, Pakistan.  
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 07 June 2012
  •  Published: 30 September 2012

Abstract

 

A study was conducted to determine the groundwater quality of Mardan salinity control and reclamation project (SCARP) area and its suitability for irrigation purposes. A total of 18 villages were selected and water samples were taken from each one. Spatial data of the locations were taken by Magellan GPS Receiver. These samples were analyzed in the laboratory and then compared with the irrigation water quality guidelines suggested by WAPDA (Water and Power Development Authority Pakistan) and FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) to determine the groundwater quality for irrigation. Analysis and mapping of ground water quality data were performed by using Arc GIS 9.2 software. Various statistical measures such as mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation and confidence interval of groundwater quality data were calculated. The results indicated that majority of the ground water samples were in the range of marginal fit category of irrigation water quality. It is concluded that the ground water at certain locations get polluted due to seepage and percolation losses from surface.

 

Key words: Mardan salinity control and reclamation project (SCARP), groundwater, water and power development authority Pakistan (WAPDA), geographical information system (GIS).