Assessment of health risks related to groundwater consumption in Al-Hoceima region

Abstract

Water is a precious natural resource for life, and more vulnerable to different contaminations; it has become less and less drinkable because it is polluted and can carry pathogenic germs that cause water diseases. The population of the Al-Hoceima region is supplied with drinking water from the network of the National Drinking Water Board, which is not widespread in rural areas where there is the frequent use of communal water points (spring or well). Health concerns remain related to the consumption of untreated well water, in the absence of a department responsible for the management of well water (development, equipment, treatment, protection, and quality control). To preserve the health of the population from any source of contamination carried by water, the Ministry of Health, carries out, through the provincial hygiene services, the control and monitoring of the physical-chemical and bacteriological quality of water in the framework of the fight against water diseases. The objective of this work was to determine the state of groundwater quality in the Al-Hoceima region, based on the study of physicochemical and bacteriological parameters. A control of 41 collective water points was carried out, including 30 wells and 11 springs. The collected samples were analyzed to measure some physical parameters: electrical conductivity, pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen, possibly looking for indicator germs of fecal contamination, namely coliform bacteria, Escherichia coli, and intestinal enterococci. The results revealed fecal contamination of all collective water points by coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli. Appropriate measures must be taken for the disinfection of these waters before their use.

Risk perception from the consumption of untreated drinking water in a small island community

“…The authorities, however, believe that the cause of the apprehension in the community was mostly related to the fact that households would be billed for treated water. Limited access to clean water and consumption of water that is contaminated is a major cause of acute diarrheal illness, and studies have shown the presence of disease risk even from untreated pristine surface water, spring water, and ground water (Machdar et al 2013;Barragán et al 2021;Mchiouer et al 2021).…”