Assessing the suitability of well water in Al-Rashad District using international quality indicators

Abstract

The study aimed to study the quality indicators of well water in Al-Rashad District، to determine its nature and suitability. Samples were collected from 10 wells distributed throughout Al-Rashad District، and the concentrations of several qualitative and chemical characteristics of the well water were determined.

The study revealed high concentrations of total hardness and dissolved solids (TDS) in the well water in the study area، exceeding local and international permissible limits. The study also showed high concentrations of calcium in all wells، with values ​​higher than the local and international permissible limits. Magnesium concentrations exceeded the permissible limit according to Iraqi standards، which is 50 mg/L. All wells were considered safe according to the World Health Organization's standards of 125 mg/L، with the exception of wells 2، 4، 5، and 9. Meanwhile، sodium and potassium values ​​did not exceed local and international permissible limits.

The study showed that the water from wells 10، 6، 5، and 3 was unsuitable for drinking purposes، while the water from wells 1، 2، 4، 7، and 9 was of very poor quality. The water from well 8 was of poor quality according to the Canadian Water Quality Index (WOI). All wells were suitable for agriculture and irrigation according to the Sodium Percentage Index (SSP).