The present study focuses on the hydrochemistry of groundwater in parts of Gabharu river basin to assess the quality of groundwater for determining its suitability for drinking and agricultural purposes. A total of 23 ground water samples were collected randomly from open wells and analyzed for major cations and anions. The groundwater samples exhibit pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids(TDS), Potassium(K) and Iron(Fe) concentrations above the stipulated guideline values. The Piper classification for hydrochemical facies shows dominance of Ca-Mg-HCO3 facies, indicating earliest phase of evolution of groundwater system. Sodium absorption ratio(SAR), percent sodium(%Na), permeability index(PI), Kelly’s ratio have been studied to evaluate suitability of irrigation use. The calculated values of PI indicate that the water for irrigation uses ranges between good to bad quality. As per Wilcox’s diagram and US salinity laboratory classification, most of the groundwater samples are suitable for irrigation purposes.
