Evaluation the Quality of Raw and Treated Water for Number of Water Treatment Plants in Baghdad, by Using Canadian Model for a Water Quality Index

Abstract

Laboratory tests on some physical and chemical properties were conducted to evaluate the quality of drinking water on some water treatment plants in Baghdad (Al-Qadisiya, Al-Dora, Al-Wahda and Al-Rasheed), these samples were taken from raw and treated water. The measurements of taken every month and for eight years in order to evaluate the drinking water quality and efficiency of these plants. The quality of drinking water was calculated by using Canadian model index (Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment) in water quality evaluation, as contributed thirteen variables in the index calculation: the temperature of the water, turbidity, pH, total hardness (as CaCO3), magnesium, calcium, sulfate, iron mg/L, fluoride, Nitrate, chloride, color, conductivity. The samples were taken from the treated water effluent from 2005 to 2013. The study showed that the range of water quality index for the raw water is (49-54) and can be classified as a bad water and it's needing advanced treatment, while the water quality index of treated water was (77,78, 70, 67) for (Al-Qadisiya, Al-Dora, Al-Wahda and Al-Rasheed) respectively. Therefore, the water quality index of treated water of (Al-Qadisiya, Al-Dora, Al-Wahda and Al-Rasheed) can be classified within the third category (moderate).