Integrated assessment of groundwater quality in Algeria's Souk Ahras region: Implications for sustainable and management water for drinking and irrigation purpose

Our study represents a worthy contribution to scientific interests because it concerns an urgent needfor regular monitoring of the aquifers with regard to the Souk Ahras region for safe and sustainableuse of water. A total of 22 groundwater samples were collected during the wet and dry seasons ofsemi-arid and sub-humid areas in the year 2023. Thirteen parameters were analyzed fortemperature, pH, electrical conductivity, and various ions. Most of these parameters exceeded thestandards Water facet analysis showed the dominance of sulfate, magnesium, and chloride. Further,the CCME WQI and GWQI classified 11-54 % of the samples in the study to be potable. TheGroundwater Pollution Index indicated undetectable contamination in 63-68 % of the study area,hence the groundwater in that region is fit for human consumption. Different indices indicated that51 to 88 %, which is considered suitable for irrigation, but high salinity and magnesium renderedmore than half of the study area unsuitable for irrigation purposes., the study has given it a local andwider significance within the context of better water management strategies for irrigation anddrinking purpose in arid and semi-arid regions.