Drinking water quality assessment based on statistical analysis and three water quality indices (MWQI, IWQI and EWQI): a case study

Chinanu O. Unigwe () and Johnbosco C. Egbueri ()
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Chinanu O. Unigwe: Alex Ekwueme Federal University
Johnbosco C. Egbueri: Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2023, vol. 25, issue 1, No 30, 686-707

Abstract: Abstract Numerous indicator models have been developed and utilized for the assessment of pollution levels in water resources. In the present study, modified water quality index (MWQI), integrated water quality index (IWQI), and entropy-weighted water quality index (EWQI) were integrated with statistical analysis for the assessment of drinking water quality in Umunya suburban district, Nigeria. There is no known study that has simultaneously compared their performances in water quality research. Overall, the results of this study showed that the water supplies are threatened by heavy metal pollution. The parametric quality rating analysis observed that Pb contamination has the most significant impact on the water supplies. Hierarchical cluster analysis was proved very efficient in the allotment of the possible sources of pollution in the study area. MWQI results classified the water supplies as “marginal”, signifying that they are frequently threatened. Based on the IWQI, 26.67% of the samples are suitable for drinking, 13.33% are acceptable for domestic uses, and 60% are unfit for drinking purposes. Similarly, the EWQI results showed that 60% of the samples are unfit for human consumption, whereas 40% are suitable. Investigation into the performance and sensitivity of the MWQI, IWQI and EWQI models in water quality assessment was analyzed and the results showed that they are all sensitive, efficient and effective tools. This study has indicated that the integration of the three models gives a better understanding of water quality. The excessive concentration of some potentially toxic heavy metals in the water supplies suggests that the contaminated water supplies should be treated before use.

Keywords: Drinking water; Entropy-weighted water quality index (EWQI); Indexical analysis; Integrated water quality index (IWQI); Modified water quality index (WQI); Statistical analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-021-02076-7

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