TITLE:
Evaluation of the Microbiological Quality of Different Moroccan Drinking Water in the Beni Mellal Region
AUTHORS:
Rachid Hnini, Said Ihbour, Lhou Ouhida, Merzouki Mouhamed, Ahmed Ait Chaoui, Fatiha Chigr, Mohamed Najimi
KEYWORDS:
Water Quality, Microbiological Analysis, Standards, Beni Mellal, Morocco
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.7 No.5,
May
27,
2019
ABSTRACT: Drinking water is water that does not contain
pathogens or chemicals at levels that may be harmful to health. Beni Mellal
region, one of the major rich areas in ground and surface water in Morocco (the
rivers like Oum Errabia, Darna, ...; Bin el-Ouidane
and martyr Ahmed El Hansali dams and sources like Ain Asserdoune, …) is located in the North-Centre of Morocco. The main objective of the
present study was to evaluate the microbiological quality of different drinking
waters originated from sources, faucets, fountains and wells in the Beni Mellal
city and its agricultural surrounding areas. For this, hygienic quality
indicator parameters of water quality were determined by assessing the analysis
of Total Coliforms Count, Fecal Coliforms Count, streptococcus D and
revivable germs while germs such as Anaerobic Sulphite-reducing Bacteria, S. aureus and Salmonella sp, were carried out according to
national and international standards. The analysis of the microbiological
results found for all the different samples waters investigated in this study
revealed that the waters originated from fountains, faucets and sources were
proper for main consumption at microbiological point of view while the wells
waters were improper for consumption according to norms. Finally, it appears,
from the results obtained, that the potential risk of infection of water
consumers especially (groundwater) calls for prompt intervention in order to
alleviate the potential health impact of water-borne diseases in the community.
From this, a proper sanitary survey and implementation of water and sanitation
projects in the community is recommended.