Assessment of microbial water quality of groundwater in Martil (Morocco)
In Morocco, the scarcity of water resources is exacerbated by the deterioration of their quality as a result of liquid and solid waste pollutants. The Urban Commune of Martil, as an example (Northern Morocco), experienced a very important urban development in the last decade 2003/2012, and numerous large infrastructure projects are underway. Instead of being adequately treated, wastewater from the city is partially collected and discharged into nature without treatment. The river oued Martil, which surrounds the city and receives wastewater and industrial waste from the city of Tétouan, contributes to the problem of groundwater pollution in the area. To assess the status of microbial contamination of groundwater in the city, a study was conducted for one year (2010/2011). Fifteen wells were selected for bimonthly analysis of total coliforms (TC), faecal coliforms (FC) and faecal streptococci (FS), by the filter membrane method. The results showed a serious contamination of groundwater by these microbial agents. Of the 270 analyses of total coliforms, faecal coliforms and faecal streptococci (90 analyses for each group), 100%, 97% and 92% of the results were respectively positive, that is to say with more than one colony forming unit (CFU) per 100 mL water. However, the concentrations of different microbial indicators differed, depending on the location of wells with respect to the different sources of contamination. Fluctuations in microbial concentrations were probably influenced by sampling season: 52%, 72% and 92% of the samples analyzed for CF, CT and SF, respectively, were more concentrated in the dry season than during the wet season. By means of another survey, the study also highlighted the impact of the pollution of the wells on animal and human health in the area.