Quality assessment for shallow groundwater in the Hefei area, Anhui Province

Quality of shallow groundwater sampled from the Hefei area was assessed using single factor evaluation method, classification index evaluation method and comprehensive evaluation method. The results show that groundwater suitable for drinking directly(Ⅰ—Ⅲ level)accounts for 59.3%, the groundwater after proper treatment(IV level)for 30.5%, and the groundwater not suitable for drinking(V level)for 10.2%. Among all the assessment indices, volatile organic matter show better indication, followed by toxic heavy metal index and semi-volatile organic index. The inorganic toxicology index and the general chemical index are poor indicators. The natural chemical constituents affecting the quality of groundwater are iron, manganese, total hardness, total dissolved solid, fluorine, sulfate, sodium+potassium and other inorganic components. The chemical constituents related to human activities are inorganic components such as ammonia nitrogen, nitrate, nitrite, hexavalent chromium, arsenic, aluminum