Evaluation of Suitability of Sand Sheet as Sand Filters for Water Treatment, West Al-Sharqat Area, Iraq

The main objective of this study to assess the properties of Sand sheet in Al-Sharqat City, Iraq, to determine their suitability to be used as water filters. Five stations (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) were selected according to the variation in the lithological properties, gradation and accessibility to the materials source. Laboratory tests included grain size analysis, water content, specific gravity and chemical analysis. Tests results showed that the moisture content, specific gravity, gypsum content, total dissolved salt, organic matter content, and pH ranged from 0.90 to 5.48%, 2.63 to 2.66, 2.16 to 14.68%, 4.21 to 20.21, 3.81 to 9.41%, and 7.77 to 8.01, respectively. The test results vary due to a variety of factors such as sampling depth, secondary gypsum content, and so on. The results showed, according to Indian standard 1993 and Iraqi typical standard (1555 in 2000), the sand sheets in the study area are not appropriate as water filters.