Use of GIS and WQI to Assess Groundwater Quality in Naãma, Algeria

Abstract

Groundwater is an important water resource in the world. The region of Naãma is the chief town of the Naãma wilaya which is situated in southeast of Tlemcen, Algeria. It is highly dependent on groundwater resources. In this area the groundwater is the only available source that is used for domestic household, agriculture and industrial purposes. Assessment of ground-water quality is highly important in order to safely and sustainably exploit the water resource. The aim of this study was to assess the groundwater quality by using GIS and Water Quality Index in Naãma, Algeria. Ten groundwater samples were collected from boreholes in this year 2018. This was carried out by sampling water using Duran bottles and transporting the water samples into the laboratory for analysis. The physico-chemical parameters (such as pH, Elec-trical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Bicarbonate, Ammonium, Sulfate, Ni-trate, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, and Potassium) were selected for the spatial analysis with the help of the Geographical Information System (GIS). Inverse Distance Weighted interpola-tion technique was also used for creating maps for Water quality index and physico-chemical parameters that were analyzed. The result of the analysis was compared with the guidelines of WHO and Algeria Potable Water Standard in order to set up the status of groundwater quality in this area. To compile the Water Quality Index (WQI), 11 parameters were chosen. The result of WQI showed that 40% of the collected groundwater samples were of excellent quality and 60% were found to be in good quality. The spatial distribution maps produced for several phys-ico-chemical parameters using ArcGIS (10.3) software could be helpful for designing a water program. WQI and GIS can be adopted by water engineers, utilities and decision makers in order to assess and monitor regularly the groundwater quality in a given area.