Evaluation water quality of Diyala River in Iraq using Bhargava method

College of Engineering, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq

^* Corresponding author: nawaromran@yahoo.com

Abstract

Diyala River is a tributary of Tigris River, it is one of the important rivers in Iraq. It covers a total distance of 445 km (275 miles). 32600 km² is the area that drains by Diyala River between Iraqi-Iranian borders. This research aims to evaluate the water quality index WQI of Diyala River, where three stations were chosen along the river. These stations are D12 at Jalawlaa City at the beginning of Diyala River, the second station is D15 at Baaquba City at the mid distance of the river, and the third station is D17 which is the last station before the confluence of Diyala River with Tigris River at Baghdad city. Bhargava method was used in order to evaluate the water quality index for both irrigation and drinking uses. The results indicated that Diyala river water quality at its beginning was excellent for irrigation and good for drinking, while at the mid distance of the river, it was good for irrigation but heavily polluted and unsafe for drinking. Water quality of the river at the third site was acceptable for irrigation but again severely polluted and unsafe for drinking.