Author(s)

R. M. S. El Kholy & M. I. Kandil

Abstract

The quality of water affects the quality of life – as concerns over water quality problems increase, scientists and engineers are required to interpret available data and disseminate information. Water quality data analysis enables the assessment of constituents, determination of trends or correlations and thus supporting water management. This scrutiny uses prevalent trend detection techniques to evaluate the canals subject to irrigation purposes in Egypt. It presents the results of the irrigation water quality analysis for selected water quality parameters in four vital canals covering the irrigation system in the Eastern Nile Delta region. The aim of this investigation is to identify short-term water quality trends in Egyptian canals and to develop a methodology for assessing future water quality trends. According to the national water quality-monitoring network, data from five years (Aug.1999–Jul. 2004) of monthly basis records was examined. The internal structure of the water quality data sets and the correlation between locations was studied using the correlation coefficient matrix. Cluster analysis was used to encompass a wide range of multivariate methods, which results in the grouping of similar sampling sites. The results showed a strong correlation between consecutive locations in El-Salam Canal without drainage outfalls in between and among all consecutive locations in El-Rayah El Tawfiki and Ismailya Canals. Trend evaluation was conducted using the best-fitted trend models which revealed that the linear model better describes the DO correlation while the exponential model better describes the TDS correlation between locations in the El-Salam Canal. Keywords: water quality, irrigation, trend, time series correlation, regression.

Keywords

water quality, irrigation, trend, time series correlation, regression.