Groundwater quality assessment for sustainable water management in the Al-Hofuf area, eastern Saudi Arabia

This study investigates the quality and suitability of groundwater for irrigation in Al-Hofuf, Eastern Saudi Arabia, a region characterized by aridity and facing increasing water demand due to rapid urbanization and agricultural expansion. Fourteen groundwater samples were collected from public wells and analyzed for their physicochemical properties (pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), and major ions) and heavy metal (HM) concentrations (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Al, B, Ni, and Cr) using APHA (2022) protocols. Five irrigation suitability indices, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), soluble sodium percentage (SSP) (Na%), permeability index (PI), Kelly’s ratio (KR), and magnesium ratio (MR), were used to evaluate agricultural viability. Results showed that most samples exceeded the WHO drinking water standards for salinity, hardness, and sodium content, with average TDS (3,942.5 mg/L) and EC (6,553.66 μS/cm) levels. However, HM concentrations remained within permissible limits. Although the groundwater was generally unsuitable for direct human consumption, it was suitable for irrigation, especially for salt-tolerant crops, as indicated by PI and MR. Multivariate statistical analyses identified salinity as the dominant water quality issue, driven by both geogenic and anthropogenic factors. These findings underscore the pressing need for sustainable groundwater management and align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives for water security and agricultural sustainability.