Groundwater Quality for Irrigation as an Aspect of Sustainable Development Approaches: A Case Study of Semi-Arid Area Around Ismailia Canal, Eastern Nile Delta, Egypt

Irrigation water is a basic factor in maintaining productivity and conserving agricultural lands, in addition, irrigation is the most important water-consuming sector. Approximately, forty percent of the world's food is produced by irrigation that highly depends on the resources of groundwater. Seventy-six groundwater samples were collected from the Quaternary aquifer, Eastern Nile Delta region, Egypt. Irrigation water quality parameters: pH, TDS, EC, Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Sodium to Calcium Activity Ratio (SCAR), Adjusted-SAR (adj. R-Na), Adjusted Sodium to Calcium Activity Ratio (adj. SCAR), Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP), Kelley's Ratio (KR), Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC), Residual Sodium Bicarbonate (RSBC), Corrosively Ratio Index (CRI), Magnesium Adsorption Ratio (MAR), Permeability Index (PI), Potential Salinity (PS), Heavy metal Pollution Index (HPI) and Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI) were determined to assess the groundwater quality of the Quaternary aquifer in the study area for irrigation purpose. Generally, the groundwater in the study area has a moderate quality for irrigation purposes, and as indicated by the obtained results of the determined evaluation parameters, management changes and practices should be considered for maintaining the soil properties and crop productivity.