WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT FOR DRINKING AND IRRIGATION PURPOSES IN UPPER INDUS BASIN, NORTHERN PAKISTAN

This study investigates the water quality for drinking and irrigation uses in upper Indus Basin, northern Pakistan. For this purpose water samples were collected from the River Indus and tributaries, and analyzed for the physicochemical parameters including physical, anions, total alkalinity and hardness. Furthermore, water was analyzed for selected elements by Perkin Elmer atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS-PEA-700). The concentrations of various physicochemical parameters were found within the safe guidelines set by the international organizations such as world health organization (WHO) and national organization Pakistan environmental protection agency (Pak EPA) for drinking and irrigation water. Sodium adsorption ratios (SAR) in the studied water samples were found >1.3. Statistical analyses revealed that geogenic and anthropogenic have increased the concentrations of certain physicochemical parameters' in the River Indus and its tributaries. However, water quality of the River Indus and its tributaries in upper Indus basin are safe and suitable for the drinking, domestic and irrigation purposes, therefore, this study strongly recommend uses for drinking, domestic and agriculture purposes in upper Indus Basin.