Integrated Groundwater Quality Assessment Using WAWQI, CCME WQI, Multivariate Statistical Analysis, and GIS in Sulaymaniyah City, Iraq.
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Water quality indices (WQI) are important for monitoring groundwater in cities where it is used as drinking water. There were 21 wells in the urban region of Sulaimani City, located in the Governorate of Sulaymaniyah, from which groundwater samples were collected. Parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), alkalinity, turbidity, calcium (Ca), fluoride (F), nitrate (NO3), and chloride (Cl) were examined to assess their roles in water quality. Integrated assessment and geospatial interpretation, as well as multivariate statistical analysis, were supported by the weighted arithmetic water quality index (WAWQI) and the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment water quality index (CCME WQI). The results indicate that 71.5% of groundwater samples fall into the “Good” category according to the WAWQI, while 19% are classified as “Excellent” and 9.5% as “Poor.” In comparison, the CCME WQI shows an equal distribution, with 33.3% of samples categorized as Good, Fair, or Marginal. Based on multiple regression analysis, the developed WAWQI equation, incorporating TDS and F (R² = 0.86), demonstrated strong predictive capability, whereas the CCME WQI showed a moderate relationship with TDS, F, and calcium (R² = 0.65). The spatial maps of water quality indices created in ArcGIS indicate that water quality evaluation may vary widely depending on the index used. The results highlight the importance of continuous monitoring of parameters such as TDS, fluoride, and calcium to ensure safe drinking water.
DOI: 10.64362/zjse.230
Authors: Jwan Abdulla, Haveen Rashid
Institution: University of Sulaimani
Language: English
Subfield: Water Science and Technology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7166755021