A novel Water Quality Index (WQI) to characterize spatiotemporal pressures in the Cape Flats Aquifer (CFA)

A novel Water Quality Index (WQI) to characterize spatiotemporal pressures in the Cape Flats Aquifer (CFA) | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 2 June 2025 V1 Latest version Share on A novel Water Quality Index (WQI) to characterize spatiotemporal pressures in the Cape Flats Aquifer (CFA) Authors : Douglas Archer 0009-0009-0323-5060 [email protected] , Christoff Truter , Victor Rambau 0000-0001-5855-7969 , Msimango Philani , and Gideon Wolfaardt Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174890228.83010665/v1 208 views 170 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Managed aquifer recharge of groundwater reserves and subsequent extraction represents a reliable means of bolstering drinking water supplies. Towards this goal, the Cape Flats Aquifer (CFA) management scheme was initiated to promote water security in the context of water scarcity in the Western Cape Province. Various sources of contamination (i.e., industrial, urban, and agricultural) are known to exist within the CFA, however, with the extensively farmed Philippi Horticultural Area (PHA) being among the most noteworthy. To better understand contamination hotspots within this area, a water quality index (WQI) was developed, incorporating 24 parameters measured in 96 boreholes over a five-year period (2018 – 2021, and 2023). Principal component analysis (PCA) using the WQI parameters showed that a mix of agricultural and geogenic sources contribute to the poor water quality. Primarily, the use of saline and poor-quality irrigation water and fertilizer runoff were identified as the most pressing threats. We conclude that caution should be taken when abstracting water from areas that were identified by the WQI as polluted and that efforts should be taken in curtailing some of the activities contributing to the deteriorating groundwater quality. Supplementary Material File (1033676_0_merged_1747131144(2).pdf) Download 1.35 MB File (archer et al. 2025_supplementary.docx) Download 5.78 MB File (archer_et_al-_2025.docx) Download 19.69 MB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 02 June 2025 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords agricultural groundwater pollution groundwater quality hydrology water quality index Authors Affiliations Douglas Archer 0009-0009-0323-5060 [email protected] Stellenbosch University Faculty of Science View all articles by this author Christoff Truter Stellenbosch University Faculty of Science View all articles by this author Victor Rambau 0000-0001-5855-7969 Stellenbosch University Faculty of Science View all articles by this author Msimango Philani Republic of South Africa Department of Water and Sanitation View all articles by this author Gideon Wolfaardt Stellenbosch University Faculty of Science View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 208 views 170 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Douglas Archer, Christoff Truter, Victor Rambau, et al. A novel Water Quality Index (WQI) to characterize spatiotemporal pressures in the Cape Flats Aquifer (CFA). Authorea . 02 June 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174890228.83010665/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . Format Please select one from the list RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks Direct import Tips for downloading citations document.getElementById('citMgrHelpLink').addEventListener('click', function() { popupHelp(this.href); return false; }); $(".js__slcInclude").on("change", function(e){ if ($(this).val() == 'refworks') $('#direct').prop("checked", false); $('#direct').prop("disabled", ($(this).val() == 'refworks')); }); View Options View options PDF View PDF Figures Tables Media Share Share Share article link Copy Link Copied! Copying failed. 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