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.

Title

Shehdeh Jodeh

Publisher

Environmental System Research

Publisher Country

United Kingdom

Indexing

Scopus

Impact Factor

0.65

Publication Type

Online only

Volume

1330

Year

2024

Pages

1-13