Assessing Darreh-rood river water quality for irrigation using sustainable conservation approach and CCME-WQI model

Water quality management is a key element for maintenance of sustainable irrigation systems. Index-based appraisal of water quality can be used to demonstrate progress towards the targets، by plotting trends in the temporal and spatial variations of water quality. This study aimed to evaluate the water quality of Darreh-rood river located in Moghan region (NW-Iran) for irrigation purpose، using CCME-WQI model. Consequently، four sampling points were selected to collect the river-water samples on a half-yearly frequency sampling related to low and high flow basis (2 times year). Water samples were analyzed for 30 parameters including basic physicochemical، nutrients، biological and heavy metals. Afterwards، levels targeted by researchers along with measured parameters، were included in the model. Three factors including F1 (scope)، F2 (frequency) and F3 (amplitude) were determined and normalized. Results showed that the suitability of river water quality for irrigation purpose is in class B (categories: Good and Good/Fair)، during low-flow and high-flow periods، respectively. In conclusion، the consequences of this model as a diagnostic tool، necessitates to be considered the best management practices (about 12 to 18 percent BMPs) for conserving and improving the river-water quality and to develop future sustainable mitigation plans.