Effects of Road Deicing Salt on the Quality of Ground Water Resources in Hamadan Province, West of Iran

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of road deicing salt on the quality of the ground water resources in Hamadan Province during winter season. Water samples were taken monthly from thirty wells located around the Hamadan-Asadabad highway. The quality of well water was examined by measuring amount of sodium, chloride, total hardness, total dissolved solid, electrical conductivity, total fecal coliform, and total coliform in well water sample. The correlation between mineral deposits in the water samples and the distance of wells from the highway was investigated using Pearson Correlation Coefficient. It was estimated that nearly 11,000 tons salt were applied annually in this province for deicing roads and streets. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between the quality variables of well water taken from a distance less than 400 meters from highway axis in the southern side except for fecal coliform and total coliform. No statistically significant correlation was seen between the distance from the highway axis and the quality variables of well water taken from the northern side. There was a significant difference between water quality variables of the wells located in a distance less than 200 meters in the northern side of the highway, with that of the wells located in southern side of the highway (p<0.05). A positive correlation between road dicing salt and mineral deposits in the ground water resources was indicated. Therefore, regarding the limited water resources in Hamadan Province, constraining application of road deicing salt is recommended.