Table 13 Correlating farmer’s perceptions with the water quality data of the study area.

Station 1

pH: 7.2, EC: 750 µS/cm, TDS: 460 mg/L, TH: 250 mg/L, Ca: 58 mg/L, Mg: 25 mg/L, Na: 140 mg/L, K: 5 mg/L, Cl: 80 mg/L, SO₄: 130 mg/L

No major issues, occasional salty taste

Periodic water testing, maintain EC below 800 µS/cm

Station 2

pH: 6.9, EC: 820 µS/cm, TDS: 510 mg/L, TH: 270 mg/L, Ca: 62 mg/L, Mg: 28 mg/L, Na: 155 mg/L, K: 6 mg/L, Cl: 85 mg/L, SO₄: 140 mg/L

Leaves turning pale, slight skin irritation

Use of gypsum, awareness on water pH management

Station 3

pH: 6.8, EC: 890 µS/cm, TDS: 560 mg/L, TH: 290 mg/L, Ca: 65 mg/L, Mg: 30 mg/L, Na: 170 mg/L, K: 7 mg/L, Cl: 90 mg/L, SO₄: 150 mg/L

Wilting in vegetables, bitter taste reported

Treated water for irrigation, avoid sensitive crops

Station 4

pH: 7.0, EC: 710 µS/cm, TDS: 440 mg/L, TH: 240 mg/L, Ca: 55 mg/L, Mg: 24 mg/L, Na: 130 mg/L, K: 5 mg/L, Cl: 75 mg/L, SO₄: 120 mg/L

Water suitable for crops, no complaints

Continue monitoring, promote water-efficient crops

Station 5

pH: 6.7, EC: 950 µS/cm, TDS: 600 mg/L, TH: 310 mg/L, Ca: 68 mg/L, Mg: 32 mg/L, Na: 180 mg/L, K: 7 mg/L, Cl: 95 mg/L, SO₄: 160 mg/L

Poor germination, itching after use

Improve water blending, use mild filtration

Station 6

pH: 7.1, EC: 770 µS/cm, TDS: 470 mg/L, TH: 260 mg/L, Ca: 60 mg/L, Mg: 26 mg/L, Na: 145 mg/L, K: 5 mg/L, Cl: 82 mg/L, SO₄: 135 mg/L

Yield drop in groundnut, rough texture on skin

Furrow irrigation, promote calcium and magnesium balance

Station 7

pH: 7.3, EC: 690 µS/cm, TDS: 430 mg/L, TH: 230 mg/L, Ca: 52 mg/L, Mg: 22 mg/L, Na: 125 mg/L, K: 4 mg/L, Cl: 70 mg/L, SO₄: 110 mg/L

Germination delay, but usable water

Delay planting till initial rainfall, crop rotation

Station 8

pH: 6.9, EC: 880 µS/cm, TDS: 550 mg/L, TH: 285 mg/L, Ca: 64 mg/L, Mg: 29 mg/L, Na: 165 mg/L, K: 6 mg/L, Cl: 88 mg/L, SO₄: 145 mg/L

Salt stains on utensils, crop yellowing

Awareness programs, introduce filtration units

Station 9

pH: 6.6, EC: 920 µS/cm, TDS: 580 mg/L, TH: 300 mg/L, Ca: 67 mg/L, Mg: 31 mg/L, Na: 175 mg/L, K: 7 mg/L, Cl: 93 mg/L, SO₄: 155 mg/L

Slight dryness in crops, bitter water

Blend with cleaner source, improve soil health

Station 10

pH: 7.0, EC: 740 µS/cm, TDS: 450 mg/L, TH: 245 mg/L, Ca: 57 mg/L, Mg: 25 mg/L, Na: 135 mg/L, K: 5 mg/L, Cl: 78 mg/L, SO₄: 125 mg/L

Acceptable quality, minor chlorosis

Promote hardy crops, seasonal monitoring

Station 11

pH: 7.2, EC: 700 µS/cm, TDS: 420 mg/L, TH: 225 mg/L, Ca: 50 mg/L, Mg: 20 mg/L, Na: 120 mg/L, K: 4 mg/L, Cl: 68 mg/L, SO₄: 105 mg/L

No visible impact, water is clear

Maintain practices, periodic chemical assessment