Abstract:
Drinking water quality in rural areas is impacted by industrial and agricultural
runoff, water treatment infrastructure, and household economic conditions. This study
explores the relationship between drinking water quality, water sources, and land cover
types in northeastern Kazakhstan. The Water Quality Index (WQI) was calculated for
each household and village using the Horton Equation. Land cover was mapped using
Sentinel-2 Level-2A imagery. Statistical differences among villages were analyzed through
one-way ANOVA and t-tests. A Structural Equation Model (SEM) was built using Maximum Likelihood estimators, with significance set at p < 0.05. Significant variations in
manganese, hydrocarbonates, and chlorides were observed based on the distance from
the Irtysh River and water sources. Grasslands had the greatest influence on water parameters (−14.89), followed by croplands (5.96), urban lands (2.15), and other land types
(2), with forests having the least effect. Biological indicators, such as Actinomycetes sp.,
were significantly correlated with forests (2.32) and other land cover types. Grasslands
reduce mineral content in groundwater, while croplands and forests contribute to mineral
enrichment, particularly nitrates from croplands. Urban areas increase chemical loads in
groundwater, and manganese levels decrease with distance from the Irtysh River. Chlorides
and hydrocarbonates are highest near the river. Rural water treatment infrastructure should
be improved, stricter pollution controls should be enforced, and sustainable land use practices should be promoted to reduce agricultural and urban runoff. Additionally, economic
incentives for household filtration, regular water quality monitoring, and a coordinated
watershed management approach can enhance long-term water security
