Applying results of the chemical analyses in determining groundwater quality for drinking, agricultural and industrial uses: The case study Rafsanjan plain, Iran

Abstract

Based on chemical analyses, the quality of ground waters for drinking, agricultural and industrial purposes was determined in Rafsanjan Plain-Iran. Samples for analyses were taken from 22 wells in 2012. Because of high water hardness and total dissolved solids content, water was found to be unsuitable for drinking purposes. Water quality for agriculture was determined with the use of the Wilcox method. Among the analysed water, 10.33% were attributed to C3-S1 class (high electrolytic conductivity and low sodium adsorption ratio), 59.5% to class C4-S1 (very high EC and low SAR) and 30.17% to class C4-S2 (very high EC and medium SAR). 89.67% of studied wells were unsuitable for agriculture. Because of corrosive water properties all but two wells on Rafsanjan Plain were undesirable for use in the industry. The results of qualitative analyses were presented in GIS and in databases to support making decision and management of groundwater on Rafsanjan Plain.

Journal of Water and Land Development

“…Indeed, the current situation of aquifer systems has become a key area of concern. The quantitative and qualitative state of aquifers results from a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors [BENRABAH, ATTOUI 2016; JA-HANGIR, SOLTANI 2019]. In addition, the duality between the demands of operators in this category of water and the need to ensure their sustainability is a challenging issue.…”