Assessment of groundwater quality and its suitability for drinking and agricultural uses in arid environment

Groundwater quality in Ma'an area was evaluated for its suitability for drinking and agricultural uses by determining the main physical and chemical properties during a 1 year survey study (August 2009 to August 2010). Several samples were collected from ten different wells and analysed for temperature, pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids, total hardness, major cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+), major anions (HCO3 (-), Cl-, NO3 (-), SO4 (2-), F- and Br-) and trace metals (Fe2+, Al3+, Mn2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Pb2+ and Cd2+). The general chemistry of water samples was typically of alkaline earth waters with prevailing bicarbonate chloride. The results showed great variations among the analyzed samples with respect to their physical and chemical parameters. However, most values were below the maximum permissible levels recommended by Jordanian and WHO drinking water standards. The quality assessment shows that in general, the GW in the study area is not entirely fit for direct drinking with respect to EC, and Pb2+. According to the residual sodium carbonate and sodium adsorption ratio, the water in the studied wells can be used for irrigational purposes.