Research Studies Project Report (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2012

A research study submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Water Engineering and Management, School of Engineering and Technology

This research aims to assess groundwater quality in Sana' a basin. The study is covered study area by 24 locations based on four different type of aquifers Limestone, Sandstone, Volcanic and Alluvial aquifer. Assessment of groundwater quality in Sana'a basin identified the temporal and spatial changes in the groundwater quality in Sana'a basin during 1986-2009 and the relationship between the various chemical parameters. The study also investigated the type of groundwater quality and suitability for different uses. Furthermore, the study developed the relationship among the type of aquifer and the quality of groundwater in the study area. Temporal changes for physical and chemical parameters are evaluated by ANOV A and ttest. The variation in ground water quality by ANOVA shown there are same sites and no different for 8 parameters (pH, EC, TDS, Ca, Mg, Na, S04 and hardness) whereas, 4 parameters (K, C03, HC03 and Cl) shown different. t-test assessed there is significantly difference in all years of the Lower, Middle and Higher values for these parameters. The change which most prominent of Potassium quality was in 2007 and 2009, for Carbonate and Bicarbonate was in 2007 and for Chloride was in 2005. Spatial changes for physical and chemical parameters are evaluated by GIS mapping. Spatial distribution in Limestone aquifer shown High concentrations for EC, TDS, Ca, HC03 and S04.The high concentrations in Sandstone aquifer found in TDS, HC03 and. S04 in Volcanic aquifer the spatial distribution shown excellent concentrations for all parameters while, The spatial distribution shown high concentration of TDS, Ca, Na, HC03, S04 and N03 in Alluvial aquifer. Heavy metals concentration was acceptable for all aquifers except GWl 1 which have high concentration of Al. The type of water in limestone aquifer is very hard water, excellent for salinity and alkaline hazard.60% shown as Ca S04 water, 25% as Mg S04 water and 15% as Mg HC03 by MRD. Suitability for use in this aquifer is doubtful by WHO and NWRA, hard water (85%) and very hard water (15%), excellent for salinity and alkaline hazard in Sandstone aquifer. In Volcanic aquifer, the type of water in this aquifer is 70% soft water, 30% hard water and excellent for salinity and alkaline hazard. 43% shown as Ca (HC03)2 water and 57% as Na HC03 by MRD. Suitability for use in this aquifer is excellent by WHO and NWRA. Excellent quality of water is in this aquifer. The type of water in alluvial aquifer is very hard water, excellent for salinity and alkaline hazard. Furthermore the water is polluted by Nitrate (N03). 50% shown as Ca (HC03)2 water, 25% as Ca S04, 25% as Na HC03 by MRD. Suitability for use in this aquifer is unsuitable by WHO and NWRA.