DETERMINATION OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY USING GIS: DEWANIYA GOVERNORATE, IRAQ, AS A CASE STUDY

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the suitability of groundwater in Dewaniya governorate of Iraq for irrigation and drinking purposes based on Weighted Arithmetic (WAI) and Meireles Water Quality (MWQI) Indices, with analysis of the results using Geographic Information System (GIS). According to the research outcomes, the water types in the study area wells were categorized as good, poor, very poor, and unsuitable for human consumption. The percentages were 2% good, 9% poor, 35% very poor, and 54% unsuitable for drinking purposes, respectively. The type of water in the wells of the study area was Moderate restrictions (MR), High restrictions (HR), and Severe restrictions (SR) for irrigation purposes. MWQI classes with distribution in the study area were 10%, 14%, and 76% for MR, SR, and HR, respectively. The higher values of water quality parameters that exceeded the permissible limit of their standard values led to an effect on WQI values in the region. Groundwater can be used for irrigation of plants in the region with special restrictions.