Water Quality Assessment of Amir Kabir Sugarcane Agro-industry with Respect to Agricultural and Drinking Views

Abstract

Use of water with poor quality in agriculture not only leads to degradation of soil physical properties, which results in wastelands, but also reduces crops production and causes trouble for irrigation systems. In the other side, agriculture is known itself as a main water polluting sources. Health improvement of human community is not possible without access to safe drinking water.Considering this issue, developed countries have successfully dealt with their health problems, especially with respect to drinking water. In this way, a study was conducted at Amir Kabir Sugarcane Agro-industry to evaluate the chemical and physical properties of water of the Karun River from 2003 to 2011. All measured factors were compared with FAO irrigation water quality standards and drinking water standards of WHO. Based on results, TDS (1408.25 mgl-1) was higher than allowable limit in all studied years. Also, TH factor showed a dramatic increase over WHO standard science 2007 due to drought condition; however, other factors were found to be at standard levels. Therefore, water of the region is not recommended for drinking. For irrigation purposes, only EC factor was beyond the permissible limit, which caused water quality to be placed in C3class (high salinity). However, such water can be used to grow saline resistance crops provided adopting appropriate management practices.Some factors such as SO2-4, SAR and RSC showed a significant fluctuation between years, which may be caused by inflowing drainage water from surrounding agricultural fields. It should be noted that current standards often developed for a given climatic conditions, which are completely different with studied area, and therefore should be exposed to reconsideration and revision.