EVALUATION OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY IN SELECTED AREAS OF NAJAF GOVERNORATE FOR DIFFERENT PURPOSES

This study is concerned with assessing suitability of groundwater in selected areas of Najaf governorate, Iraq, for multiple uses ( human drinking , animal drinking , industrial , agricultural and irrigation). Water samples were taken from 29 wells over eleven months (January - December 2014); these samples were chemically and microbiologically analyzed using eleven parameters: Electrical Conductivity ( EC ), Total Dissolved Solid ( TDS ), pH values, Calcium (Ca+2 ), Magnesium ( Mg+2 ), Sodium (Na+ ), Chloride ( Cl - ), Sulphate ( SO4 -2), Nitrate (NO3-), Total Hardness ( T.H ) and Total Coliform Bacteria ( T.C ). Sodium Adsorption Ratio ( SAR) was also calculated to be compared with standards. It is found that the groundwater of the study area is not suitable for human drinking and industrial purpose (except groundwater of one well which was suitable for chemical industry and refinery ) because of high concentration of chemical variables, but it was suitable for animal consumption and irrigation vegetables which resist moderate and high concentrations of EC in water, a salinity problem was expected based on Todd and American Salts Laboratory classifications, there were no harmful effects from sodium indicators on plants, most of water samples were within the classes poor and very poor for irrigation use according to Richard classification, and chloride toxicity problem was expected because 69 % of groundwater samples can cause severe problems.