Investigating the Chemical Quality of the Groundwater in Sajad Area, Zarinshahr

Groundwater resources in arid and semi arid regions are very important. Groundwater is contaminated by agricultural, industrial and municipal activity which as a result reduces its quality. Investigating of the chemical quality of the groundwater is emphasized to identify pollutant environmental impacts associated with incorrect waste disposal practice. This research investigated the effects of wastewater from Steel Mill and channel drainage on the quality of water wells around them, by measuring the water quality and comparing it to the standards. In this analytical, observance, cross-sectional study, the samples were collected from 6 different wells during a three months period and then were transferred to the chemical laboratory of the health faculty while kept in vicinity of ice. Chemical parameters of pH, EC, TDS, COD and heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni) were measurement according to the book of water and wastewater standards. The heavy metals concentration was measured by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (A.A.S). The Excel software was used to plot the curves and statistical method t-test to analysis the data. The pH parameter in the studied water wells was around 6.6- 8.3. The amount of EC and TDS were in the range of 3668-6388 μs/cm, 2619 mg/Li and the mean concentration (mg/Li) for COD and heavy metals were found at COD = 30.22, Cd = 0.045, Pb = 0.062, Cr = 0.049, Ni = 0.143. Excluding the Cr, even the mean concentration of mention parameters exceeded the drinking water standard levels. The high concentration of the parameters compared to the recommended standards indicates that the water wells are polluted due to high discharge rate of agricultural and industrial wastewater, therefore it is essential to control and treat the wastewater appropriately and also to monitor the ground water to prevent the aquifer pollution.