Evaluation of Quality Indices of Water Irrigation (Case Study: West Azarbayjan Province)

Evaluation of groundwater quality indices and their zoning has an important role in the optimal management of aquifer. For this purpose, quality indices related to groundwater irrigation of West Azarbayjan province, were evaluated. Related to existing data, quality statistics of 21 wells during2001-2011 were extracted. Pearson correlation index was used to determine the relationship between indices and Wilcox diagram to determine groundwater quality. Kriging geostatistical method was used to study the spatial changes of the indices in the study area. The results of Pearson correlation between the calculated indices showed a significant relationship,at the 95% confidence level, between the values of all indices, except the pH index. Groundwater quality assessment by Wilcox diagram showed that 43% of the studied are located in C3S1 class, 38% of the studied area are located in C2S1 class and 19% of the studied area are located in three classes C3S2, C4S3 and C4S2. Spatial study of all indices showed that the groundwater in the northern and southeastern parts of the province and around Lake Urmia, for agriculture use, is worse than the middle and western parts.