QUALITY OF SURFACE WATER IN SOME SELECTED DRAINS AND CANALS IN FAYOUM GOVERNORATE

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Hydraulics Res. Inst., National Water Research Center, Egypt

2 Soil Sci. Dept., Fac. Agric., Zagazig Univ., Egypt

Abstract

A Total of 36 water samples were collected from 3 irrigation and drainage canals in Fayoum Governorate, Egypt, to identify the quality for irrigation.  Site 1; Bahr Wahby Canal, Site 2; Batss drain and Site 3; El Gharaq drain. Measurements included pH, EC soluble ions, and heavy metals during 12 months (one sample each month for each site) from April 2016 to March 2017. The pH varied from 7.00 to 9.32, while EC average for sites 1, 2, and 3 were 2.13, 2.20, and 3.85 dSm-1, respectively. Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) values were 4.88, 4.98 and 7.53 for sites 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Water quality for site 1and 2 was C3S2 (high salinity and medium sodicity hazards), while for site 3 they were C4S2 (very high salinity and medium sodicity hazards) and could be used for crops which are tolerant to salinity. All heavy elements at the three sites were below the permissible limits. Water measurements and assessment are important in determining their quality.

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