Utilizing the Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI) to Determine Groundwater Feasibility for Irrigation Purposes, In the Ishaqi Area, Saladin, Northern Iraq

Abstract

IWQI and distribution maps of the used parameters for irrigation were investigated in the Ishaqi Area. In general, the calculated IWQI values reached from (17.09 -78.8), 19% of samples in the study fell under stringent irrigation regulations, where plants that can withstand saline water can only be grown using groundwater. Of the wells that were examined, a comparatively greater proportion, 76.2% fell under the high restriction category while only 4.8% of them were in the low restriction category and none fell under the unrestricted category. The IWQI reduces from the periphery towards the interior of the study area and rises in  the direction of the northeast and southwest; this suggests that the central part of the research area and rises toward the northeast and southwest; this indicates that the study area's core region is polluted and should only be used for crops that can withstand salt. The northeast and southwest regions of the research area are suitable for the cultivation of plants that are moderately to extremely salt resistant. Furthermore, the study area's irrigation water quality variables, including SAR, EC, Na%, and chlorides (Cl-), all indicate that the area's soils may experience issues as a result of the existing irrigation system. When combined with WQI standards and indicators, the geographical distribution maps of the IWQI index can provide a clear picture of the condition of a particular area with regard to groundwater quality for irrigation; they can be very useful and supportive decisions making tool in a process of identifying the areas that suffers from poor ground water availability or contaminated water.