Environmental Impact of Wastewater Inflow on Groundwater Quality, West Girga, Sohag, Egypt

Abstract

This research aims to determine the effects of wastewater irrigation on the groundwater quality west of Girga, Sohag, Egypt. Twenty-six groundwater and one sewage-treated effluent samples were analyzed using standard methods for a range of physio-chemical and microbiological parameters. Surrounding the wastewater plant, about 46% of collected samples were impacted by wastewater contamination, as indicated by positive detections of fecal coliform bacteria infiltrated into groundwater. The distribution of major ions in the groundwater is Na + >Ca 2+ >Mg 2+ >K + and Cl - >HCO 3- >SO 42- >NO 3- . The high salinity in the area may be due to the leaching of evaporites, chemical fertilizers, and irrigation return flow. The high sulfate concentration in the study area mainly from chemical fertilizers and wastewater. Cd, Pb, and Cu are enriched nearby the wastewater treatment plant suggesting contamination by wastewater disposal, while Fe, Mn, and Zn showed higher enrichment at the agricultural land, suggesting a mixing source from agrochemicals and atmospheric deposition of particles. Groundwater from the unconfined aquifer around the West Girga treatment plant is unsuitable for drinking purposes while suitable for irrigation with some restrictions in terms of heavy metals. To mitigate this, treatment of wastewater before irrigation and careful irrigation management is recommended.