Application of GIS Technique to Assess the Habbaniya Lake Water for Human Consumption

Abstract

Geographic Information System (GIS) technique was used in this study to produce a Water Quality Index (WQI) map to assess the water of Habbaniya Lake for drinking purposes. Sixteen samples of fresh surface water were collected and analyzed to verify the physiochemical parameters of the WQI. These parameters include Total Dissolved Solids, pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Sulfate, and Nitrates. The result of these parameters has been transferred to the GIS platform to construct a water quality database and map of spatial distribution for each parameter using the inverse distance weight (IDW technique). The results of these parameters were also used to calculate irrigation water quality index values, and transferred to the GIS platform for the production of the water quality index map. The spatial distribution index of drinking water in Habbaniya Lake is depicted on this map. It shows that WQI for all water samples is within the second category (50-100) except (S 5 and S 8) below the second category (<50). The short-scope of WQI indicates that the water quality of Habbaniya Lake has been considered as convergent water quality that fluctuated from excellent water to good water for human drinking. It shows also that the northwestern part of Habbaniya Lake waters is more appropriate for drinking since the Al-Warar Canal drains in this part, which takes its water mainly from the Euphrates River.