Hydrochemical assessments of surface Nile water and ground water in an industry area – South West Cairo

A hydrochemical assessment of surface Nile water and ground water samples was carried out to characterize, classify, and evaluate its suitability for drinking and irrigation. Eleven surface Nile water samples and eight ground water samples were collected between El-Maasara and El-Tibbin at the Helwan governorate. Various hydro-chemical characteristics including physicochemical parameters (pH, density, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, and hardness) were determined. Laboratory work also included major anions (bicarbonate, chloride, and sulfate), and major cations (sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium) as well as trace elements (iron, copper, manganese, strontium, aluminium and lead). The results were compared with the recommendation limits of the World Health Organization (WHO, 2008), the Egyptian Higher Committee for Water (EHCW, 2007) and the Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisors (US EPA, 2004). The data obtained were used for mathematical calculations of some parameters such as sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), sodium percentage (Na%), and the suitability of water samples for drinking, domestic, and irrigation purposes was evaluated. The results indicate that most studied surface Nile water samples show excellent to good categories and are suitable for drinking and irrigation. Most studied ground water samples are not suitable for drinking and need treatment for irrigation; few samples are not suitable for any purpose because of pollution from different sources in this area