Paper Title
Assessing Groundwater and Water Use in Karnataka: Integrating Quality and Availability

Abstract
Ground water is increasingly vital as a water source, especially with surface supplies becoming scarce and less reliable. In Karnataka, groundwater is used extensively for industrial, residential, and agricultural needs amid rising demand. To analyze groundwater dynamics, K-means clustering and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were applied to water level data, identifying four distinct district clusters. The Water Quality Index (WQI) for 2019, 2022, and 2023 indicated positive trends in water quality. Strong correlations between total hardness and calcium (0.94) and between salinity and sodium (0.92) were found by correlation analysis, highlighting the importance of mineral content in water quality. However, agricultural assessments reveal that several districts require enhanced irrigation and rainwater management strategies, as rainfall alone does not guarantee higher yields. Data-driven policies are essential for addressing water scarcity, preserving quality, and enhancing agricultural resilience. This study draws on data from the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Department of Agriculture, Karnataka State Department of Agriculture (KSDA), and Census of India. Keywords – Ground water management, K-means clustering, Principal Component Analysis (PCA),Water Quality Index, Crop Suitability Index.