Potential use of groundwater for irrigation purposes in the Middle Euphrates region, Iraq

Middle Euphrates Region—Iraq (MER) is important for Iraq’s agricultural activity and production. This paper evaluated the possibility of using groundwater for irrigation in this region. This evaluation was based on computing the irrigation water quality index (IWQI) spatial distribution via the geographical information system (GIS). The IWQI distribution map was integrated with the groundwater depth, land capability, and irrigation suitability maps to classify and zone the potential of using groundwater in the MER. To this end, the weighted overlay approach was applied. Spatial analysis of the IWQI illustrated that the groundwater quality in the MER could be classified into High, Severe, and Moderate Restriction classes, each covering 62%, 33%, and 5% of the MER, respectively. Classifying the groundwater via the weighted overlay approach produces four classes with low, moderate, high, and severe restrictions. Each has a percentage of 24%, 50%, 23%, and 3%, respectively. As these results showed, most MER has groundwater that can be exploited with low to moderate restrictions. These two classes are distributed along and near the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. However, good percentages of these classes are distributed in the eastern and northwestern regions of the MER. Given the water scarcity that the MER suffers, groundwater with these classes represents a potential solution that can be employed to overcome the water shortage; nevertheless, it should not be exploited intensively as it may induce irreversible environmental impacts.