Groundwater Assessment by using Water Quality Index in Some Agricultural Expansion Areas in Sohag Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

The present study aims to assess groundwater quality for agriculture purposes using water quality index (WQI) in some agricultural Expansion areas at Sohag Governorate in Egypt. Forty seven (47) water samples were collected from different wells and analyzed. The parameters that define the water quality were recognized using Principal Component Analysis and Factor Analysis (PCA/FA). Hence electrical conductivity (EC), soluble sodium (Na), soluble chloride (Cl), and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) were determined. Based on the obtained results, the WQI values ranged between 10.36 and 97.19. About 53.2% of the samples were unsuitable for irrigation. However, 12.8% of samples may be suitable for the irrigation of soils without salinization problems. The remaining samples (34%) showed an average of WQI values were 8.51, 6.38 and 19.15 within the low, moderate, and high restriction classes, respectively. WQI may be successfully used as a guideline for the decision-makers.