Water quality assessment in Morocco’s Inaouen basin

Abstract

The availability of clean water and sanitation has become a significant challenge in many regions worldwide, particularly in Morocco, due to harsh climate conditions and river pollution. This increases the water’s vulnerability to contaminants and heightens the population’s risk of waterborne diseases. The main objective of this study is to assess the impact of anthropogenic activities on the water resources and public health, as well as to evaluate the spatial distribution of certain chemical elements in the surface and groundwater of the Inaouen basin. The study primarily focuses on analysing the water’s physicochemical and bacteriological parameters. The spatiotemporal and multidimensional analysis conducted between 2021 and 2023 revealed a progressive increase in organic and mineral loads over time. The study also identified certain sections of the river with questionable health status, classifying them as having very poor water quality. Bacteriological analysis reveals severe groundwater pollution, with high levels of total coliforms, faecal coliforms, and faecal streptococci, indicating significant faecal contamination. This study suggests that the use of groundwater from these aquifers could pose a significant long-term health risk to the inhabitants of this watershed and increasing quality control of these waters.