Assessment of Groundwater Quality of Jiroft Plain for Drinking Water Using Groundwater Quality Index

Aim and scope: 

Groundwater is the most important source of water supply in arid and semi-arid regions. For this reason, its quantitative and qualitative protection plays an important role in the development of these areas. This study aimed to use groundwater quality parameters to develop a groundwater quality index.

The groundwater quality of Jiroft plain was studied using the groundwater quality index (GWQI). First, the calculation process of mentioned index was discussed and then the quality of groundwater was investigated by it. In this study, parameters such as nitrate, phosphate and arsenic were also assessed in addition to the main cations and anions of groundwater.

The spatial distribution pattern of the main ions is influenced by the geological units and the direction of groundwater flow. The concentration of major and minor ions is lower than permissible limits in most parts of the plain.

According to the results, the groundwater has good quality for drinking water in the most parts of the Jiroft plain. Groundwater recharge by surrounding alluvial fans is the main cause of the good quality of groundwater. Comparison of the map of groundwater quality index zonation with classification of groundwater samples using Schuller method shows the usefulness of groundwater quality index for evaluating the quality of groundwater.Key Words: Groundwater, Chemical parameters, Water quality index, Jiroft plain.