Evaluation of the Tigris River's Water Quality in the Wasit Governorate, Iraq

The objective of this study is to evaluate the water quality of the Tigris River physicochemical and biological properties throughout dry and wet seasons in the governorate at Wasit, Iraq. Five points were selected over the course of the governorate’s river path, and samples of water were measured in both the dry season in September 2023 as well as the wet season in February 2024. The key points that were measured included the pH, EC, TDS, Turbidity, DO, BOD5, and concentrations of heavy metals and major ions, (Fe, Pb, Cd) and (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, and SO₄²⁻), respectively. The results were compared with the drinking and aquatic life standards of the World Health Organization, as well as Iraq. To provide an overview of the general state of the water, the WQI of the water was calculated. The results show significant seasonal variation, as well as an overall degradation of the water quality during the dry season. With reduced river flow and higher levels of the untreated home and industrial waste discharge, as well as the runoff from the agricultural areas, most of the parameters, especially TDS, BOD5 and the heavy metals have crossed the permissible limits at many locations. The WQI of the river water lies between “Very Poor” to “Unsuitable” drinking for the humans. This study underlines the immediate necessity of efficient pollution abatement and watershed management strategies in the area.