Assessment Of Parasitological Contamination Of Groundwater In The El Hajeb Region (Morocco)

Abstract

Globally, inadequate water supply, sanitation, and hygiene are major contributors to mortality and burden of disease. In the region of El Hajeb (Morocco), the inadequacy of the public network for the distribution of drinking water and the persistence of drought in recent years has forced the majority of the population to resort to water from wells, boreholes and sources. However, following the presence of a dump in the surrounding area, concerns have continued to increase due to the appearance of many water-borne diseases. The aim of this work is to microbiologically characterize the groundwater in the El Hajeb region (Morocco), in order to verify its state of salubrity and to sensitize the local population on water-borne diseases. To do this, a first sampling campaign was conducted for 29 months (from May 2016 to January 2017). A total of 43 stations (wells, boreholes and sources) were selected for monthly analyzes of parasites (Helminth eggs and Protozoan cysts) by the filter membrane method. The methods of microbiological analyzes referred to the techniques for assessing the quality of water described by Rodier (1978, 2009). The results of the count exceeded national and international standards in the majority of stations especially those located near the dump. The aim of this study is to assess the association of lacking access to water and sanitation with water-transmitted helminth infections, taking into account the differences in route of infection among species and the availability of adequate water and sanitation at home.