Seasonal Changes Comparison Of Physico-chemical And Bacteriological Characteristics Of Water In Some Regions Of Southern Algeria

The present study aims, firstly, to characterize the physicochemical and microbiological quality of brackish groundwater in some regions of southern Algeria. Secondly, to study the seasonal evolution of these principal parameters of different periods: March 2009, January 2011, June 2011 and November 2011. For this, 16 water samples from the towns of El Oued, Ouargla, and Ghardaia were taken either at the consumer's tap, or from well water. The results show that the physico-chemical quality of the South Algerian waters is poor in terms of national drinking water standards (NA6360) and international guidelines (WHO). These waters are rich in minerals: the conductivity is between a minimum of 1290 μs/cm and a maximum of 4490 μs/cm whereas the Algerian standards have a Maximum Admissible Concentration of 2800 μs/cm. The hardness is very high, it exceeds 60 °F. According to the international and the national standards, the results show that all waters are excessively fluoridated. Indeed, the fluoride content varies between 0.70 and 3.33 mg/L (WHO standard: 0.7 mg/L for high temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 °C, Algerian standard: 1.5 mg/L). The highest fluoride contents are found in the wilaya of El Oued Souf. Additionally, groundwaters contain very few suspended particles and any naturally occurring bacteria or organic matter.