ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUALITY IN WELLS AND SPRINGS OF THE AL-RAHALIYAH REGION FOR AGRICULTURAL AND HUMAN USE

Y. K. AL-Hadethy; W. K.  Al-Falahi

doi:10.59807/jlsar.v5i2.100

Authors

Y. K. AL-Hadethy Department of Soil and Water Resource, College of Agriculture, University of Anbar, Ramadi, Iraq.
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2268-8179
W. K. Al-Falahi Department of Soil and Water Resource, College of Agriculture, University of Anbar, Ramadi, Iraq.

https://doi.org/10.59807/jlsar.v5i2.100

Keywords:

Groundwater Quality, Agricultural Irrigation, Salinity, Water Contamination, Microbial Analysis

Abstract

This study was conducted in the autumn of 2019 to assess the water quality of wells and springs in the Al-Rahaliyah region of Anbar Governorate, Iraq. The goal was to evaluate the suitability of these water sources for both agricultural and human consumption. The results indicated that the well water in the studied area has a very high salinity level, which makes it suitable only for irrigating highly salt-tolerant crops (C4 plants). The well water was found to have low sodium content (S1), making it suitable for irrigating most crops from a sodium hazard perspective. Additionally, the well water was free of residual sodium carbonate (RSC), which suggests that it is suitable for irrigation in terms of RSC risk. However, laboratory tests on the water from Ain Al-Zarka spring revealed that while the pH level was within acceptable limits for human consumption, the electrical conductivity exceeded the critical threshold, even after filtration, rendering it unsuitable for drinking. The sodium concentration was also higher than the permissible limits, further disqualifying the water from being used for human consumption. Additionally, elevated levels of sulfate and chloride, along with total dissolved solids (TDS), exceeded the World Health Organization's (WHO) standards for potable water. Microbial tests revealed the presence of Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria, confirming the water's unsuitability for drinking. The study concluded that while the spring water can be used for some agricultural purposes, it is unsuitable for human consumption due to chemical and microbial contamination.

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