Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Drinking Purposes in Herat Province, Afghanistan: A Water Quality Index Approach

Understanding groundwater quality is essential for ensuring access to safe drinking water. This study investigates the suitability of groundwater for drinking purposes, employing the Water Quality Index (WQI) and analyzing various physicochemical parameters. The study was conducted from 2017 to 2021 in Herat, Afghanistan, a city facing numerous environmental challenges due to its arid climate and excessive groundwater extraction. To do this, the WQI was derived from data collected from 10 observation wells. A comprehensive analysis was performed on 13 physicochemical parameters, including pH, temperature, and various contaminants. The results showed that the groundwater WQI ranged from 26 to 131 across the region. The results of the physicochemical analysis showed that no groundwater in the Herat Basin exhibits excellent quality; 70% was classified as good, 20% as poor to very poor, and 10% as unsuitable for drinking, particularly in the Koshk Kohna district. The findings shed light on the overall quality of groundwater in the region, highlighting areas where water quality may pose risks to human health and emphasizing the importance of effective management strategies.