Because of the shortage of irrigation water in Kafr El-Sheikh district, especially in summer of season, agricultural drainage water is used as additional source for irrigation. Therefore, the aim of this work was to record counts of fecal coliform bacteria, BOD5, and NO‑3, in addition to, some heavy metals (Pb , Cd and Cu), E.C and SAR, in main drains at Kafr El-Sheikh district to evaluate the pollution degree of this type of water comparing to standard recommended limits.
The counts of fecal coliform bacteria in all main drains(drain4 ,drain3,drain5 and Gharbiya drain) water of Kafr El-Sheikh district during summer season2012 varied from1800to 6075 M.P.N/100ml. Counts of coliform bacteria at four drains violate the permissible standard limits recommended by FAO (1000 MPN/100ml for crops consumption by human), while, counts of coliform bacteria in all main drains (except drain5 during July) in the studied area were less than standard limits for Fodder crops recommended by FAO (5000 MPN/100ml ).
The studied drains water recorded high levels of biological oxygen demand (BOD5) which, varied from 25.39mg/l to 74.05 mg/l and its value violate the standard limit (10mg/l) recommended by FAO.
NO3- concentrations varied from 30.35 to 82.98 mg/l in all main drains water. The concentrations ofNO3-in all studied drains violate the standard limits (45mg/l) recommended by (APHA, 1992).
Pb, Cd and Cu concentrations in drains water and sediments samples of studied area varied from site to another. The concentrations of Pb, Cd and Cu in sediments for all drains were higher than in water. The Pb, Cd and Cu concentrations in water varied from (11.0 to19.0), (2.8 to5.3), and from (31.5 to75.5) /l, while the Pb, Cd and Cu concentrations in sediment varied from (24.5 to 61.0) , (5.3 to 10.0), and from (86.0 to 146.0) /g respectively. Pb, Cd and Cu in all waters and sediments samples (except Cu in water) Recorded higher concentrations comparing with the maximum permissible levels reported by FAO, (10, 3, and 200/l in water, while in sediments 20, 0.3 and 45 /g for Pb, Cd and Cu respectively.
EC (ds/m) and SAR values of all studied drainage water samples were between (1.83 to 2.74 ds/m) and (7.51 to 10.21), respectively. According to USDA diagram these samples are in class C3S1 (high salinity-low sodium) and C4S2 (very high salinity-medium sodium).The studied drains water contains high concentration of Pb, Cd and nitrate, as well as, a huge number of fecal coliform bacteria. Therefore, these waters are dangerous, when used for irrigation crops consumption by human, but it can be used for irrigation Fodder crops.