WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT USING WATER QUALITY INDEX: A CASE STUDY OF HIGH ALTITUDE AREA, GILGIT CITY, GILGIT BALTISTAN, PAKISTAN

The research aimed to evaluate the surface water quality of Gilgit city by comparingthe actual values physio-chemical and microbiological parameters with that national standardsfor drinking Pakistan. A total Sixteen samples were gathered from thestudy area analyze their quality. Multiple including fluoride, hardness, pH, nitrite,nitrate, chloride, TDS mapped spatially using inverse distance weighting. To compute waterquality index, ArcGIS Model Builder ArcPy employed. key informants interviews andfocus group discussions also conducted list water-related problems. findings thewater index ensured good collected physicochemicalparameters but occurrence contamination in both rivers declared unfit fordrinking. It showed is being contaminated due anthropogenic activities.The mixing wastewater into sources was reported respective authoritiesand community. residents suggested repair filtration plants as well cover waterstorage structures on an urgent basis. study will be helpful concerned departments studyarea plan resources provide services efficiently.