Comparative evaluation of spatiotemporal variations of surface water quality using water quality indices and GIS

Abstract There is a need for a comprehensive comparative analysis of spatiotemporal variations in surface water quality, particularly in regions facing multiple pollution sources. While previous research has explored the use of individual water quality indices (WQIs), there is limited understanding of how different WQIs perform in assessing water quality dynamics in complex environmental settings. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of three WQIs (Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME), National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and System for Evaluation of the Quality of rivers (SEQ-Eau) and a national water quality regulation in assessing water quality dynamics. The pilot study area is the Acısu Creek in Antalya City of Turkey, where agricultural practices and discharge of treated wastewater effluents impair the water quality. A year-long intensive monitoring study was conducted includig on-site measurements, analysis of numerous physicochemical and bacteriological parameters. The CCME and SEQ-Eau indices classified water quality as excellent/good at the upstream, gradually deteriorating to very poor downstream, showing a strong correlation. However, the NSF index displayed less accuracy in evaluating water quality for certain monitoring stations/sessions due to eclipsing and rigidity problems. The regulatory approach, which categorized water quality as either moderate or good for different sampling sessions/stations, was also found less accurate. The novelty of this study lies in its holistic approach to identify methodological considerations that influence the performance of WQIs. Incorporating statistical analysis, artificial intelligence or multi-criteria decision-making methods into WQIs is recommended for enhanced surface water quality assessment and management strategies.