Physico-chemical and bacteriological characteristics of groundwater collected from various wells in the Beni Amir, Morocco

Background: Water plays a pivotal role in life and has specific physical and chemical properties that make it a vulnerable natural resource. This study aimed to examine the physicochemical and bacteriological qualities of water in the Beni Amir region. Methods: Fifteen water points were sampled during winter season of 2022. Various physicochemical parameters (pH, conductivity, turbidity, TH, TAC, mineralization, oxidability, mineral composition, undesirable or toxic parameters, biological parameters of interest, and bacteriological quality of samples were determined. Results: The treatment of the obtained results revealed that approximately 93.33% of the pH values were up to the WHO recommended minimum allowable value of 6.5, except for sample P6 (pH= 6.1). Conclusion: Generally, the physicochemical quality of the studied samples may be considered to be fairly good in terms of the elements and physicochemical parameters that are monitored. About 80% of the samples showed a wide range of microbes with various levels. Most samples revealed the presence of E. coli, indicating that samples were slightly polluted according to the Water pollution status-WHO 2004. Findings stress the need for microbiological examination of groundwater in the Beni Amir region, which can provide information about the suitability of water table in this region.