Azem Bardhi et al Int. Journal of Engineering Research and Applications www.ijera.com ISSN : 2248-9622, Vol. 4, Issue 2( Version 1), February 2014, pp.197-199 www.ijera.com 197 | Page Evaluation of Irrigation Water Quality in the Central Albanian Regions of Kavaja and Kruja Azem Bardhi 1 , Nikoll Bardhi 2 , Uran Abazi 3 1 Department of Agronomy, Agricultural University of Tirana, Kamëz, 2 Department of Agronomy, Agricultural University of Tirana, Kamëz, 3 Department of Agro-environment and Ecology, Agricultural of Tirana, Kamëz, Tirana, Albania. Abstract The purpose of the study was the monitoring of water quality (water resources) used for irrigation in the regions of Kavaja and Kruja. The study was carried out during 2009-2010. The samples were collected over a two-week period (1 June - 31 August) and were analyzed according to USEPA methodology at Institute of Earth Studies, Tirana. The samples were analyzed in terms of parameters such as pH, t ºC, TDS, EC, chemical parameters Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , K + , Na + , Cl - , CO 3 2-, HCO 3 - , SO 4 2- , nutritional elements N-NO 3 , N-NH 4 , and PO 4 -P. The results have indicated a relatively high content of ions Na + and Cl - in the water resources in the region of Kavaja (Qeret area) that might lead to toxicity for the sensitive plants and contents within the limits as determined by Albanian Standard Catalogue and FAO, 1989 in the region of Kruja. Based on the findings obtained the water resources analyzed are classified under 2 nd class [1]. The continuous monitoring of water resources is indispensable as a result of the proliferation of pollution from industrial and agricultural activities and the discharge of urban waste in these regions. Keywords: Monitoring, water quality, water irrigation I. Introduction Albania is situated in the south-western part of the Balkan Peninsula enjoying wide exposures to the Adriatic and Ionian seas. The entire length of the border is in the region of 1094 km with 657 km being of land borderline and the remaining 316 km in sea border. The effective average annual temperatures fluctuate between 7,5°C in the north and 17-18°C in the south (Riviera). The absolute maximum temperatures waver on average from - 2°C to - 3°C up to - 25.8°C in Sheqeras, (Korça district)[2]. Albania is rich in waters and boasts roughly 49.000 km of hydraulic networkwhich combined discharge a total of average annual precipitations of 41 km 3 water into the sea. Albania is also under the possession of a number of artificial lakes such as Shkodra, Ohrid, Prespa, etc., which are regarded to be a very important water reserve. A significant part of several rivers such as Shkumbini and Fani are polluted due to industrial discharges [3]. A good part of the river is used for irrigation purposes in agriculture. Thus its treatment prior to agricultural uses should be a permanent objective to be fulfilled. The evaluation of the water qualities that is being used for irrigation of various agricultural crops is based on the criteria of salinity and toxicity of chemical elements [4],[5],[6]. The soluble salts (TSS), are yet another criterion to be considered when evaluating the quality of water used for irrigation. The salts influence the plant well- being by mounting the osmotic pressure of water, making the plant suffer in relation to absorption of water from the soil [7]. The salt concentrations with off-limits contents might be able to influence, prevent, and stunt the plant development. [8]. II. Material and method The evaluation of water quality has been conducted on waters used for irrigating areas in Kavaja and Kruja (total area equal to 25000 acres). The evaluation of water quality has been done for the water resources covering the entire area. This study was conducted over the period 2009-2010. The sampling was done during the irrigation period (from 1-30 th of August, every two weeks). The sampling was done based the same method as applied by US Environmental Protection Agency(USEPA) [9]. The analysis of elements was made possible in the laboratory at Institute of Soil Survey, Fushe-Kruje. The elements being subject to analysis include a variety of them from pH, dry status, CE (electrical conductivity), SAR (sodium adsorption ratio), Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Na + , K + , CO 3 2+ , HCO 3 - N-NO 3 , P, K, Cl-, and SO 4 2- . In order to carry out a final analysis of the water quality that are used for irrigation, the findings for each water resource are compared against the criteria as set out in the Albanian Standard Catalogue 2 [10], the classification norms of Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVAS)[1]and the Food and Agriculture Organizationof the United Nations (FAO) [11]. RESEARCH ARTICLE OPEN ACCESS