WATER SALINIZATION IN IRAN: SPATIAL VARIATION OF SALINITY IN GROUNDWATER RESOURCES OF NORTH WEST (URMIA LAKE)

This study presents the quality of drinking water in terms of salinity in the western margin of Lake Urmia, Iran. During the study a total of 121 samples from 116 wells and 5 springs were collected which constitute drinking water resources of 301 villages in the study area. Approximately more than 30% of the water resources were brackish or saline. The maximum EC is recorded at 3060 µs/cm, which is more than 2500 µs/cm recommended by the European Union. The minimum EC is 410 µs/cm with an average of 980± 495µs/cm. The brackish water resources were located in the northern parts, middle parts and also in the southeast. Unfortunately, in water resources of the study area, salinity seems to be high. This issue should be addressed as a serious concern by managers of water sector.