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Go to Editorial ManagerShatt Al-Arab river has been used as the raw material for the drinking water, irrigation and fish purposes in Basrah city. Concurrently, this river has been polluted by domestic, farming and industrial waste. Three main factories lie on the bank of Shatt Al-Arab river: Al-Hartha Paper Mill, Hartha Power Station and Al-Najibia Power Plant. All these consume water from the river and return their wastewater back to it. The aim of this study is to assess the water quality of Shatt Al-Arab river and its suitability for drinking, irrigation and aquatic life through physicochemical analysis temperature, pH, EC, Total Dissolve Solid (TDS), Cl − , Na + , K + , Ca +2 , Mg+2, HCO 3 total hardness, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). BOD5 concentration near factories showed polluted water, unsafe and requiring costly treatment to use for drinking water. Sodium concentration is a key factor for irrigation, which represent by SAR and SSP. As SSP exceed 75.73 % in water near these factories, this could breakdown soil structure and can damage agriculture area. The high concentrations of BOD5 and COD could pose a threat to aquatic life and fishes. As Shatt Al-Arab river is used for different purpose, the result in this study showed polluted water near industrial areas. Therefore, it is recommended to have regular data on water quality for this river near these areas.
Higher education institutions, as one of the powerful actors contributing to pollution and impact on the environment, are not an exception in adoption of sustainable practices. Thus, this study aims to investigate the sewage disposal condition at University of Basrah situated adjacent to the Shatt al-Arab, which is estimated as the artery that feeds water to Basra/southern Iraq regions. The release of non-treated or poorly treated water is a real danger to the aquatic and terrestrial species in Governorate. Consequently, samples were collected for analysis during summer and winter seasons to investigate their physical, chemical and biological characteristics acknowledged as basic criteria for assessment of environmental degradation: DO, TDS, NO3, NO2, PO4, SO4 pH. Also, measured are BOD and COD. Preliminary studies suggest that wastewater properties differ with its origin and associated practices. These differences emphasize the need for targeted management strategies depending on the origin of wastewater. In order to be able to decide whether the treatment of wastewater and measures for environmental protection are appropriate, this study provides valuable information on the nature of wastewater generated in University of Basrah, College of Engineering. The findings help decision makers in the field of wastewater management for implementing the exact strategies of sustainable sewage treatment and disposal legislations, which consequently saving water resources.