Study of the Euphrates River’s Water Quality in Front of and Behind the Haditha Dam in Anbar Province, Iraq

Contaminants in natural water continue to be one of the largest environmental issues on the planet. This is due to the fact that due to population expansion, urbanization, agricultural practices, and industrialization, there is a significant increase in the demand for freshwater and a water crisis in arid and semi-arid areas. The present study aimed to assess the suitability of water quality at Haditha Dam. In this study, 9 parameters, including Nitrate NO₃, Carbonate CO₃, bicarbonate HCO₃, Sulphate SO4, Chloride Cl, Calcium Ca, Magnesium Mg, Sodium Na, and Potassium K were measured and investigated to assess water quality for Haditha Dam Project in both sides (Behind and in front of the dam). The current study focuses on the examination of water quality data collected over a one-year period from both sides of the Euphrates River through the collection of 48 samples. The parameters that were examined used the accepted techniques. Findings showed that average concentrations were lowest during the dry season and highest during the rainy season for K, Ca, Na, Mg, Cl, and SO4. However, HCO₃ and CO₃ concentrations were the highest averages in the dry season, while the lowest average was in the wet season. The results were compared with Iraqi standards for water quality and the World Health Organization (WHO). The planning and logical management of water resources, including the possibility of using them for irrigation and drinking water, can benefit from this study. According to the findings, river water is deemed unsafe for drinking and human consumption, however it can be utilized for irrigation.