Groundwater beneath the urban area of Khan Younis City,southern Gaza Strip (Palestine): assessment for multi-domestic purposes

The present study research investigation is aimed to assess the groundwater quality for the urban area in Khan Younis City, southern Gaza Strip, for multi-domestic purposes. The physicochemical analysis of the groundwater wells shows the major ions in the order of Na⁺ > Mg²⁺ > Ca²⁺ > B³⁺ > K⁺ and Cl^? > HCO₃ ^? > SO₄ ^2? > NO₃ ^2? > F^? > PO₄ ^3?. Groundwater quality is classified as very hard-brackish water type. Ninety-five percent of the wells are classified as saline water type with high NO₃ ^2? concentrations. Based on water quality index (WQI), the groundwater falls into one of three categories: fair water (10%), poor water (15%), very poor (45%), and worst (30%). The high WQI values are because of high Na⁺, Cl^?, SO₄ ^2?, and NO₃ ^2? concentrations, while synthetic pollution index (SPI) values indicate that most about 80% of the wells are seriously polluted. Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) indicates that most of data are either slightly scale forming or corrosive water or slightly corrosive but non-scale forming, and 75% of the wells are suitable for construction purposes (have SO₄ ^2? concentrations <300 mg/L). The groundwater reaches alarming situation, where almost chemically unsuitable for drinking purposes and the water to be used after proper treatment such as desalination.