Using of geographical information system and water quality index for evaluation of groundwater quality in the Dammam Zone, Faddak farm, Karbala, Iraq

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the groundwater quality for irrigation purpose in the Dammam formation, Faddak farm, Karbala governorate. Set of physical and chemical parameters included the concentrations of cations and anions were measured in the water samples taken from seven wells in the region under consideration. Results have been analyzed with aid of geographical information system (GIS) by application of “Inverse Distance Weighted, IDW” interpolation method. The plotted maps proved that the groundwater in the study area can classify as “slightly brackish water” because the total dissolved salts ranged from 1000 to 300 mg/L. Also, the sulfate and chloride ions have relatively very high values with arrangement of cations of Na+ > Ca2+ > K+ > Mg2+ and anions of SO42- > Cl-> HCO3-> NO3-. The calculated values of Irrigation water quality index (IWQI) was greater than zero and less than 40; so, the water can identify as “severe restriction, SR”. Therefore, this water can’t be used for irrigation purpose and can be applied only for the soil with high hydraulic conductivity which popular property for study area.