Quality of water resources in the rural area of Qorveh Plain (Kurdistan, Iran) is facing a serious challenge due to arsenic (As) pollution and agricultural development. Therefore, 25 shallow groundwater samples (from 14 households and 11 farms) were collected from this area with aim of evaluating their quality as drinking purposes. The water samples were analyzed for pH, water electrical conductivity (Ecw), As, Cd, Mn, Fe, Ca, Mg, Na, K, NO3–N, P, Cl, HCO3, CO3, SO4–S, Si, total hardness (TH) and total dissolved solids (TDS) by using standard methods. Results showed that the toxicity of arsenic (on average, 51.8 ppb), nitrate (on average, 116.7 ppm) and phosphorus (on average, 0.32 ppm) are in an alarming state in this area and all wells under test failed at least one safe WHO’s drinking water standards, particularly with regard to arsenic, nitrate, TDS and pH. Among the appeared pollutions, arsenic has a geologic origin and nitrate and phosphorus can affect by human activities such as agriculture, household chemicals run-off and failing septic systems in this area. Based on the results of this assessment, the quality of the groundwaters is not suitable for drinking purpose without appropriate remediation.
