Water Quality Assessment in Terms of Water Quality Index

TLDR

The Water Quality Index (WQI) is a composite rating that summarizes overall water quality, aiding treatment selection and informing public and policymakers, yet no globally accepted standard exists and various countries use aggregated data to develop indices. This study proposes a simplified, globally accepted Water Quality Index to provide a reliable, widely applicable assessment of water quality.

Abstract

Water quality index (WQI) is valuable and unique rating to depict the overall water quality status in a single term that is helpful for the selection of appropriate treatment technique to meet the concerned issues. However, WQI depicts the composite influence of different water quality parameters and communicates water quality information to the public and legislative decision makers. In spite of absence of a globally accepted composite index of water quality, some countries have used and are using aggregated water quality data in the development of water quality indices. Attempts have been made to review the WQI criteria for the appropriateness of drinking water sources. Besides, the present article also highlights and draws attention towards the development of a new and globally accepted “Water Quality Index” in a simplified format, which may be used at large and could represent the reliable picture of water quality.