A review of water quality index models and their use for assessing surface water quality

The water quality index (WQI) model is a popular tool for evaluating surface water quality. It uses aggregation techniques that allow conversion of extensive water quality data into a single value or index. Globally, the WQI model has been applied to evaluate water quality (surface water and groundwater) based on local water quality criteria. Since its development in the 1960s, it has become a popular tool due to its generalised structure and ease-of-use. Commonly, WQI models involve four consecutive stages; these are (1) selection of the water quality parameters, (2) generation of sub-indices for each parameter (3) calculation of the parameter weighting values, and (4) aggregation of sub-indices to compute…

• NU
  National University of Ireland
• SF
  Science Foundation Ireland

  Awards: 12/RC/, 12/RC/2302_P2
• UO
  University of Galway