Physicochemical evaluation of artesian waters in Aydin

Objective: Aydın has a high agricultural potential in terms of soil, water, and climate characteristics. Therefore, water resources play a key role in increasing and improving agricultural production. This research was conducted on 17 artesian water samples collected from various districts of Aydın in the autumn and winter seasons of 2018-2019. Material and Methods: In this study, water quality parameters such as pH, total hardness, electrical conductivity, turbidity, suspended solids, alkalinity, chloride, ammonia, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, boron, sodium adsorption rate and sulfate, and pollution of artesian water samples taken from various districts of Aydın province in terms of heavy metals have been detected and its quality and class have been determined. Results: The research was carried out by taking 17 samples from 9 different districts in autumn and winter. In the evaluation performed in accordance with the US Salinity Diagram, one of the 17 samples was found to be in C1-S1 class whereas the three were in C2-S1 class, ten in C3-S1 class, and three in C4-S1 class. In a general sense, it has been concluded that most of the artesian waters of Aydın province contain a high concentration of salt, but a low concentration of sodium. Conclusion: As a result; in terms of the parameters examined, it has been determined that Aydın province's artesian waters comply with the WHO, USEPA and European Union water quality standards as well as the TSE 266 Standards Concerning Water Intended For Human Consumption and the limit values determined for waters in the Turkish Ministry of Health Regulation Concerning Water Intended For Human Consumption, both of which are valid in our country. With this research, it was concluded that the artesian waters do not constitute a negative situation for human health upon the evaluation of their parameters. Keywords: Aydın, Ground-water, Heavy metal, Pollution, Water quality standard.