Groundwater Quality in West Asia Region: Experiences of Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia

Groundwater quality in some GCC countries in West Asia Region was evaluated for its suitability for agricultural uses through determining the main physical and chemical properties in three agricultural areas in northern part of Bahrain, Wafra, southern Kuwait, and Al-Quseeh at Al–Qassim Region central Saudi Arabia. Samples were collected from 140 wells and analysed for major cations (Ca, Mg, Na and K) and anions (HCO 3 , Cl, NO 3 , SO 4 ), Ec, pH and total dissolved solids TDS. E. coli and fecal bacteria content were also detected. The results showed that the quality of groundwater in most wells is admissible, poor to very poor. Na, and Cl are the main cation and anion in the groundwater, and salinization is the main threat to agriculture sustainability in the three studied areas. The study also showed that some shallow wells in the unconfined aquifer and those near the sanitary landfills or treated wastewater facilities, and animal’s corrals contained E. coli bacteria and fecal bacteria. The suitability of groundwater for irrigation purposes based on IWQI indicated that irrigation water in the studied areas are of moderate to low suitability for irrigation purposes, thus it is not suitable for irrigation under ordinary conditions but may be used for salt tolerant plants on sandy soils through special agricultural and management practices.