Quality of surface water in some selected drains and canals in Fayoum governorate

Abstract EN

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.