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Several water quality indices are used to evaluate water suitability for potable use; however, every index has strengths and weaknesses which limits the applicability and ease of use. There is a need to develop a universally accepted water quality index (WQI) which is flexible enough to represent drinking water suitability all over world. A new water quality index has been developed. The concentration of any parameter below desirable limit as well as above permissible limit will contribute to the overall increase in the index value; therefore the index is called as Integrated Water Quality Index (IWQI). In traditional WQI, desirable or permissible limits are evaluated as the standard allowable limit but in the IWQI we consider both the limits are considered, avoiding the confusion around the adoption of standard values. Based on this concept, IWQI has been classified into 5 categories viz. excellent (<1), good (1–2 …