Statistical analysis of groundwater quality at Wonji Shoa Sugar Estate

Quality assessment of shallow groundwater table is very important because it is the water that recharges deeper aquifers and constantly feeds the water levels of our surface streams and wetlands. Continuous monitoring of large number of quality parameters is essential for effective maintenance of water quality through appropriate control measures. However, it is very difficult and laborious task for regular monitoring of all the parameters even if adequate manpower and laboratory facilities are available. Therefore, this study presents the statistical analysis of physicochemical parameters (pH, EC, TDS, Na, K, Ca, Mg, HCO₃, Cl, CO₃, SO₄, TH, B, F) using correlation and Principal Component Analysis. The statistical analysis of the groundwater quality variables indicated that most of the variables are highly correlated. The strong correlation is an opportunity to develop a regression equation and monitor using few parameters. This provides an easy and rapid method of continuous groundwater quality monitoring. Moreover, groundwater of the area showed significant compositional variation. The compositional variability has implications for the source and origin of groundwater quality in the study area.