Assessing Groundwater Quality in Oudomwilay Village, Kaysone Phomvihane City, Savannakhet Province

Abstract

Water is a vital natural resource that is essential for all living organisms on Earth. It constitutes a fundamental component of life and is relatively abundant in Lao PDR, particularly in the form of freshwater resources. Historically, the livelihoods and cultural practices of the Lao people have been closely connected to rivers, which serve as sources of domestic water supply, agriculture, livestock production, industry, and transportation. In addition to surface water, groundwater represents a crucial natural resource for the socio-economic development of the country. Many households and businesses rely on groundwater for daily consumption and domestic use. As population growth and economic activities increase, the demand for water continues to rise. However, groundwater quality may be adversely affected by natural processes and human activities. Contamination by toxic substances and chemicals poses potential health risks, with major sources including domestic wastewater, the extensive use of agrochemicals, and chemical leakage from various activities. Such groundwater contamination has been widely reported in many regions worldwide. The purpose of this study was to assess water quality and groundwater quality indices used in daily life by residents of Oudomwilai Village, Kaysone Phomvihane District, Savannakhet Province. The study employed primary data collection through field-based water sampling at five locations: the northernmost, central, southernmost, easternmost, and westernmost points of the study area. A total of ten water quality parameters were analyzed. Secondary data were obtained from relevant documents, online sources, and reports from related organizations. The results indicate that none of the ten measured parameters exceeded international drinking water quality standards. All indicators were found to be within acceptable limits. Analysis of groundwater residue absorption showed relatively high efficiency, with the highest absorption percentage recorded at T7 (87.19%) and the lowest at T15 (81.64%). These findings suggest that the groundwater quality in the study area remains suitable for consumption according to international standards.