Assessing groundwater quality using the Water Quality Index (WQI) and GIS in the Uva Province, Sri Lanka

Abstract The prime objective of this study is to develop a water quality index (WQI) identify the relationship between drinking and prevalence Chronic Kidney Disease Uncertain Etiology (CKDu) in Uva Province (UP). For this, all CKDu patients province were recorded. 251 groundwater samples collected analyzed for their major cations anions. Following procedure, spatial distribution maps patients, parameters WQI generated. results revealed that, 20.3% are categorized under “excellent” terms quality, 21.2% “good”, “poor”, 9.9% “very poor”, 28.3% “unsuitable” WQI. According results, most significant correlation was recorded fluoride content (0.96). Statistical analysis showed that has strong positive (0.68) with UP inferring effect on UP. Moreover, these can be effectively used by decision makers management activities UP, Sri Lanka.