Publication Details
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the Drinking Water Quality Index (WQI) in Kirkuk City over the period from October 2023 to April 2024. To achieve this, water samples were systematically collected from seven different locations: the collection basin, pumping basin, Rahimawa area, Al-Mas area, Al-Wasiti neighborhood, Al-Hajjaj neighborhood, and Area 55. The WQI was calculated based on an extensive analysis of several key physical, chemical, and biological properties. The physical properties assessed included turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), electrical conductivity, and salinity. The chemical properties measured were pH, total alkalinity, total hardness, calcium hardness, magnesium hardness, chloride, total phosphorus, total nitrogen, nitrate, and fluoride. Additionally, biological properties such as total bacterial count, coliform bacteria, and fecal bacteria were evaluated. The results of the study indicated that the Kirkuk water treatment plant is highly effective in altering the characteristics of raw water. This effectiveness was reflected in the excellent values recorded for the Water Quality Index across all sampled sites. The specific WQI values were as follows: site two recorded a WQI of 24.62, site three 25.78, site four 37.53, site six 37.57, site five 39.57, and site seven 42.19. These findings suggest that the water treatment station is highly efficient in producing water that is suitable for daily sanitary purposes, thereby ensuring the safety and quality of drinking water for the residents of Kirkuk City.