Determination of groundwater pollution status around Konya main discharge canal

Konya Closed Basin is one of the largest basins in Turkey that takes minimum precipitation in the country. The current direction of underground water and surface waters of the basin is towards Salt Lake. Treated and untreated domestic and industrial wastewater from the city, solid waste leachate and surface water are going to Salt Lake via Konya Main Discharge Canal. The underground water level has been dropped as a result of climate change, drought, and excessive withdrawal of groundwater in recent years. This decline has caused a rapid degradation of the quality of groundwater, which in turn has deteriorated the irrigated soil by this water. Moreover, the annual drought index is at the most critical level in this arid and semi-arid region, which is seriously threatened by desertification due to an increase in temperature and evaporation resulting from climate change. Groundwater pollution is generally caused by domestic and industrial wastes and agricultural activities. Cleaning process of the contaminated groundwater is very difficult and costly. Therefore, for the protection of groundwater resources; monitoring in frequent periods and taking the necessary measures without delay is vitally important. Samples must be obtained from the observation wells for chemical analysis for the assessment, interpretation and monitoring of groundwater. As a preliminary study, in June 2012, water samples were taken from groundwater wells in 3 different locations, namely Yazibelen, Cengilti, and Tatlicak, which are in the vicinity of the first 50 km pipeline of Konya Main Drain Canal, where underground water is thought to be most contaminated in Konya Closed Basin. Samples obtained were analysed in Konya KOSKI Drinking Water Laboratory and measurement results were evaluated to see the quality of drinking water and agricultural irrigation water quality.