Assessment of groundwater quality and health risks in Ketama region (intrarif), Morocco

Abstract

For many reasons, water from wells and natural springs is still widely used in Morocco. 90 groundwater samples were analyzed to assess the health risks associated with its quality in the Ketama region, including physicochemical analyses such as pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, bicarbonates, and nitrates using standardized methods, as well as bacteriological analyses covering total coliforms, fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli and fecal streptococci utilizing the membrane filtration method. Assessment of groundwater physicochemical quality showed that 13.41% of samples had nitrate concentrations exceeding the maximum value set by the World Health Organization (45 mg/ L). In comparison, 12.16% of samples were slightly acidic (pH < 6.5). Bacteriological analyses of the groundwater showed that the water points studied are contaminated with total coliforms, faecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, and faecal streptococci at rates of 80%, 50%, 35%, and 36%, respectively. In conclusion, groundwater in the Ketama region presented potential risks for users, particularly regarding waterborne diseases.