Assessment and zoning the quality of groundwater resources with an emphasis on drinking, agriculture and industry in the Kerman-Baghin watershed, Kerman province

Ground waters is a vital resource for people around the world. For this reason, it is necessary to maintain the quality of ground waters and continuously monitor its quality changes due to the unstable development of human societies. The present study was conducted with the aim of assessment and zoning the quality of groundwater resources with an emphasis on drinking, agriculture and industry in the Kerman-Baghin watershed of Kerman province. From 1825 samples, information on the chemical quality of groundwater sources was obtained over a statistical period of 17 years (2002-2019). Water quality parameters such as cations, anions, EC, TDS, pH, sodium fraction, sodium fraction absorbed, CO2−3, NO−3, So-4, and Cl were determined separately for statistical periods 2002-2008, 2009-2013, and 2014-2019. Finally, to assess the quality of the water and the nature of the consumption of groundwater resources in relation to drinking water, agriculture and industry, Schuler's and Wilcox's diagrams and Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) and Reisner Sustainability Index (RSI) were used. Drinking water quality results for the periods 2002-2008, 2009-2013, and 2014-2019 are within Shuler's acceptable class. According to the Wilcox diagram, it is in the C3-S1 class in most study programs and quality measurement sources examined; In other words, the water in this area is of average quality and can be used for agriculture. Industrial consumption is based on two different indicators; according to LSI, most underground water sources are prone to sedimentation, while RSI rates the water sources as corrosively.