The present work focuses on the evaluation of the
groundwater quality by chemical and bacteriological analyses
to ensure its suitability for drinking and irrigation. Twenty
groundwater samples were collected and analyzed from
Manfalut district, Assiut, Egypt. Several water quality parameters
were determined; the results show higher concentration of
total dissolved solids (50 %), electrical conductivity (55 %),
chloride (20 %), total hardness (20 %), and bicarbonate (55 %).
This indicates signs of deterioration regarding drinking and
domestic uses. Salinity hazard, sodium absorption ratio, sodium
(Na) percentage, and residual Na carbonate were used to evaluate
groundwater quality for irrigation. The values of electrical
conductivity and SAR of groundwater samples were estimated
illustrating that the most dominant classes are C2S1 (45 %;
medium-salinity-low SAR), C3S1 (50 %; high-salinity-low SAR), and C4S1 (5 %; very high-salinity-low SAR).
Bacteriological analysiswas also conducted for 20 groundwater
wells from December 2011 to May 2012. Seven samples
(35 %) are contaminated by bacteria (total and fecal coliforms);
these wells are not suitable for drinking. The analysis exhibits
that bacterial contamination was the maximum in wells located
at the center of the study area; this may be due to using the
residential septic tanks. It was also discovered that the quality of
groundwater is suitable for irrigation in the target aquifer except
in a few locations. As for drinking, about 55 % of the samples
are not suitable. However, the groundwater wells which are
located in the center of the study area are suitable for drinking
according to the hydochemical analysis. It was found that some
of these wells are not suitable based on bacteriological analysis.