Evaluation of Groundwater Quality Using Water Quality Index and GIS, The Case of Debre Tabor Town, Ethiopia

Abstract Assessing the quality of groundwater for better management of the water sources is essential. This study is aimed at evaluating the groundwater quality of Debre Tabor town. Twelve groundwater samples were collected at hand dung wells during the wet season (Mid July-Mid August 2020) and dry season (1st February –Mid-March 2021). Various Physico-chemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity (EC), Total dissolved solids (TDS), Temperature, Turbidity, Calcium (Ca2+), Magnesium (Mg2+), Chloride (Cl−), Nitrate (No3−), and microbiological parameters (Total coliform and Feacal coliform)) were analyzed and compared with the standard guidelines recommended by WHO. GIS was used to show the distribution of groundwater quality throughout the study area. WQI created by Canadian Council of Minster of the Environment (CCME) was applied to evaluate the suitability of the groundwater for drinking purposes. Also, the result shows that total coliform and faecal coliform at all groundwater wells were not suitable for drinking purpose. The result shows that Electrical conductivity, Temperature, Nitrate, Chloride and Magnesium at all groundwater wells were suitable for drinking purpose for both dry and wet season whereas Turbidity, pH, Calcium and Total Dissolved Solids are suitable for drinking purpose at some groundwater wells but not suitable at some wells. The water quality analysis result shows that spatial and seasonal variations of the parameters are significant throughout the study area(p < 0.05). According to CCMEWQI result seven groundwater samples show poor water quality status of 40.53-44 while, five groundwater samples show marginal water quality status of 44.19–55.82. Based on the information provided by the study, it is recommended to identify the source of contamination, provide properly designed sanitation systems and to monitor water quality at least once per year for effective and proper management of the groundwater quality.