Evaluation of Groundwater Quality for Irrigation and Drinking Purposes Using Multiple Hydro-Geoenvironmental Indicators in Saqlawiya City, Iraq

Abstract

Groundwater is one of the most important natural resources that is heavily relied upon in the city of Saqlawiya, Anbar Governorate. Hence, it is essential to evaluate it for different purposes. Statistical methods were used to assess the aquifer in the study area, which proved successful. The results showed that groundwater ranged from moderately restricted for irrigation to severely restricted. The average of cations in groundwater samples was higher than the permissible limits for drinking according to international standards, except for potassium. Anions were also higher than the allowable limits, except for bicarbonates. All other parameters recorded high values, except for pH and nitrates, while trace elements (Pb, Cd, Ni, Cu, Co, and Zn) were within the permissible limits of the World Health Organization, except for cadmium and lead. The hydrochemical facies were described by two diagrams: the Durov diagram, which was within two classes (class e and class d), while the Stiff diagram showed the dominance of Mg2+- SO42-, followed by Ca2+- Cl-, and finally, Na+, K+- HCO3. The aquifer's geochemistry was controlled by the evaporation process and its effect on the crystallization process. Multiple Hydro-Geoenvironmental Indicators included several indicators that evaluated groundwater for irrigation and human consumption. These indicators used different parameters for each to ensure the comprehensiveness of the assessment and all indicators indicated that the water was restricted for irrigation and unsuitable for human consumption and warned against using it for various purposes without evaluating and treating it.