Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Drinking Purposes Using Water Quality Index, and Identifying the Affecting Mechanism in Rashdiya, Central Iraq

Groundwater is an important resource that can be used for various purposes. Various factors change the chemistry of GW, such as chemical composition aquifer well leaching human waste into groundwater. The study area a barren land covered by some sabkhas, in addition to agricultural fields. aims assess groundwater quality drinking purposes using Water Quality Index. chemically heterogeneous and has wide range from very poor excellent. Evaporation appears controlling factor among other shallow waters, while relatively deep water related rock-soil dominance. Rocks, use cover have helped control quality. Moreover, heavy fertilizers, pesticides irrigation, presence contributed deterioration water-rock interaction evaporation are dominant mechanisms area.