Evaluation of physicochemical and microbiological parameters of surface waters of the FeZ city - Morocco

Abstract

This retrospective study aimed to examine the physicochemical and microbiological properties of several surface waters in Fez, Morocco. Samples were collected from 33 distinct sites between June 2017 and August 2017 by Environmental Health Technicians using appropriate vials, which were stored and transported in a cooler at the Regional Diagnostic Laboratory Epidemiological and Environmental Hygiene Fez (RDLEEHF) and analyzed in accordance with prevailing standards. The pH ranges from 6.93-8.33, the temperature ranges from 8-10°C, the electrical conductivity was between 578 and 1765 µS/cm, and the turbidity ranges from 0.25-5.15 NTU. All these values are consistent with the Moroccan standard, with the exception of turbidity. Sulfate concentrations were between 7.28-55.39 mg/L, nitrite 0.01-0.13 mg/L, and nitrate 0.02-5.72 mg/L. These values comply with the Moroccan standard and the international of WHO. Orthophosphate was absent in all samples analyzed, and chloride levels were between 50-400 mgl/L. Most of the samples complied with the Moroccan standard for this type of water, with the exception of Oued Jawhara and Oued Sebou Boulaguone. For the microbiology analysis, our research showed that seven out of the thirty-three samples recorded more than >5000 CFU which is above the Moroccan standard total coliform colonies. Ten samples recorded more fecal coliform than the Moroccan standard (< 20000), which shows that the samples were contaminated by fecal origin. The intestinal enterococci found in the samples showed that seven out of the thirty-three samples did not comply with the Moroccan standard.