An assessment of the physicochemical, bacteriological quality of groundwater and the water quality index (WQI) used GIS in Ghis Nekor, Northern Morocco

Abstract

This study, being realized in its totality in the groundwater of Ghis Nekor, which is located in the city of Al Hoceima in Northern Morocco, consists in analyzing the groundwater as to its suitability for human consumption, its physicochemical and bacteriological characteristics and their water quality index (WQI), as well as identifying the initial sources of contamination to conserve and protect them as required by the Moroccan water law taking into account, in particular, the strong demand of this type of water by the local population which suffers from the bad quality and high cost of tap water. Consequently, as an economic choice, the population opts for consuming well and spring water. The groundwater of Ghis Nekor is affected by a decline in water quality which has an anthropogenic cause. It could also be related to the dissolution of mineral constituents in the soil. To assess the bacteriological and physico-chemical quality of the groundwater in the Nekor watershed, significant elements of the water analyses compiled from seventeen springs scattered along the watershed were studied. The analyses showed that the water Ghis Nekor ground water has a very high level of mineralization reaching 1400 µS/cm. The majority of the samples are in chemical facies, such as sodium chloride, potassium or sodium sulfate, chloride, sulfate and calcium magnesium according to the Piper diagram that allowed to establish the dominant hydrochemical facies. Based on the principal component analysis (PCA) and the study of the extent of key portions, two important mineralization processes were identified: stone disintegration due to contact with water and nutrient input to revitalize the aquifer. Three homogeneous groups are produced via the hierarchical analysis technique (HCA). Bacteriological analysis of these water samples showed considerable contamination with fecal germs. Steps should be taken regularly to assess groundwater quality to mitigate pollution and protect water quality from further degradation.