Impact of chemical characteristics of ground water on development of tubewell in karachi university campus

ABSTRACT

Adequate supply of potable water is essential for the smooth and trouble-free human habitation, which has almost become a paradox. During the last decade, Pakistan in general and Karachi, the biggest city of the country in particular, has experienced acute water crises due to climatic impact and rapid industrial and urban developments. Due to inadequate water supply for domestic as well as industrial purposes, the groundwater has now become a popular water source in the Karachi region. Exploration for the evaluation and assessment of groundwater in the premises of the Karachi University was carried out in view to supplement the water shortage at the campus. Four to five groundwater horizons have been identified in different types of sandstones at different depths with varying quality trends. On the basis of encouraging results of the geological and geophysical investigations, a test borehole was drilled for the actual groundwater quality and quantity assessment at one of the explored sites. Groundwater samples, collected from different horizons, have chemically been investigated to evaluate in respect of their dissolved minerals/salts, which affect the water usefulness for domestic, industrial or agricultural purposes in general, and the selection of tube well materials and its designing for a longer working life in particular