Are The Water Quality of the Agricultural Drainage and Nile River Suitable for Tilapia Culture? A Case Study from Kafr El-Shaikh's Fish Farms, Egypt

Due to freshwater scarcity, the use of drainage water for aquaculture is a severe challenge in Egypt (one of the cultured tilapia producers worldwide). The present study was conducted, in the highest fish producer governorate (Kafr El-Sheikh). The study aims to assess the water quality of different fish farms fed with different water: agricultural drainage (ADW) and Nile River (Ri-N) water, and examine their suitability for fish culturing. Environmental parameters, nutrients, and metals in the water of fishponds and their sources, were measured. Results revealed that fish farms' waters were brackish (salinity <12 ppt), and slightly alkaline (pH of 8.5). The distribution of DO and BOD between farms was significantly different (p-value<0.05). Metals varied from high Fe levels to below detection limits (Pb and Cd). Feeding water sources showed lower metal content. However, farm fed by Ri-N was enriched by nutrients and attend low metals contents relative to farms fed by ADW, which was verified by the significant statistical differences. Most studied parameters were lower than the acceptable guidelines for fisheries and aquatic life recommended by national and international standards. Overall, the water qualities of fish farms were in good condition and were suitable for tilapia culture.