Study Wells water quality and its suitability for irrigation use in Al-Anbar Governorate

Abstract

This study was conducted in order to assess the water springs of Haditha district-Western Iraq,and to determine its suitability for drinking and irrigation,and their impacts on the Euphrates River water.The water of these springs have been evaluated through physical examinations represented by measuring the water temperature,turbidity and chemical testing represented by the measurement of its pH and the values of the electrical conductivity,and the values of positive and negative ions,as well as the trace elements contained in these waters. The high value of electrical conductivity,that reached 5.37 ds/m and the total dissolved salts amounted to the total of 3980 mg /l in the springs water.The water contents of negative ions which are sulphates, phosphates,nitrates,chlorines and the bicarbonates are 1508,2.3,50,1029,224.48 mg/l respectively.While the positive ions which are sodium,calcium,magnesium and potassium values,are amounted to 937,440,195.2,55.5 mg/l respectively,which fall outside the permissible limits for drinking purposes. The results of the tests conducted to measure the trace elements such as (Cd, pb, Cr, Ni, Cu ,Zn, Mn, Fe)in the springs water (0.01>,0.01>0.0125,0.01>,0.01>0.01>,0.01>,0.032)mg/l show that they are within the permissible limits and did not exceed the standard limits. Spring water classified as of type Sl C4 water with high salinity and low sodium according to the U.S.Salinity Laboratory,and can be used for salt-tolerant crops with good soil permeability.However,and according to FAO classification it is classified as moderately salineirrigation of crops which suitable to irrigate medium tolerant crops. The affect of springs water on the Euphrates River water,are noticed in terms of increasing in the electrical conductivity which reaches up to 1,839 ds/m compared to that without springs water of 1,053 ds/m. Additionally,the total dissolved salts have been increased from 728 mg /l to 1310 mg/l before and after the springs water mix with Euphrates River respectively.Also,the concentration of negative ions(sulphate, nitrates, phosphates, chlorine and bicarbonates)were 225.8,5.2,1.27,159.75,131.76 mg/l respectively,before the springs water mix with of the Euphrates River water to 318.4,9.9,1.5,383.4,151.2 mg/1 after the springs water mix with Euphrates River water.The positive ions of sodium, calcium magnesium and potassium have been increased from 145,112,56.36,3.75 mg/L to 150,130,60,5 mg /l before and after mixing with the Euphrates River respectively.