Water quality in southwest rural areas of Morocco : A field-study

Sammanfattning: Former studies of water quality in southwest Morocco shows that some water sources in the rural region of Agadir are affected by intrusion bringing chemical values above normal in drinking water of the villagers. In this study, I want to investigate if the intrusion also creates increasing exposure of microorganisms and water borne diseases among the villagers. In a field- study, face to face interviews following a questionnaire were used to gather socioeconomic, clinical and water use information about the subjects living in the study area. Water sampling was made in 10 rural areas around Agadir. PH, conductivity and temperature were measured directly at the water locations. These parameters were re-measured at the chemical laboratory of Ibn Zohr University using traditional analytical methods. Additional chemical analysis (Bicarbonate, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, Sulfate, Nitrate, and Chlorine) were also made at the university. The bacterial analysis (microorganisms at 22 ºC and 37 ºC, Coliform bacteria, Echerichia coli, Intestinal enterococci and Clostridium perfingens) was made with the same water sampling approach as the chemical analysis adding 1 random urban district for comparison. Water samples for bacterial analysis were analyzed within 24 hours at Veto lab using ISO methods according to NM 7899-2, 6461-2, 9308-1, and 6222. The results show that all rural water samples according to the guidelines for drinking water are classified as non- drinkable and the urban water sample is classified as drinkable. The rural respondents state that they do not collect their drinking water from the sample sources but this does not exclude increased exposure to contaminated water and the increased risk of getting infected by microorganisms through the use of contaminated sources for bathing, washing, swimming, cleaning, and cleaning feeding utensils. My conclusion is that further investigation must be made on different sources of contamination and existing factors that generates the growth of microorganisms in the rural wells along with recommendations for policy makers, surveillance managers, clinicians and laboratory staff to prevent any potential waterborne outbreaks among rural villagers in southwest Morocco.