Evaluation of faecal coliform levels in the discharges from the city of El Jadida, Morocco

Abstract

In order to assess the fecal coliform contents in the raw sewage from the city of El Jadida, the principal component analysis of these contents coupled with the physicochemical parameters of water (temperature, pH, electrical conductivity and total suspended solids) was carried out. The bacteriological analysis of samples taken at the level of collector SIDI DAWI of the city of El Jadida between May 2008 and June 2010 shows that the effluent were characterized by fecal coliforms contents ranging from 2.22×107 and 9.64×107 CFU/100 mL with an average of 6.38×107 CFU/100 mL. These values were far above the recommended norm by WHO for irrigation water which is 103CFU/100 mL. Fecal coliforms have a positive and highly significant correlation with temperature, pH and total suspended solids. Also, poorly significant and negative correlations were observed with electrical conductivity. Among the physicochemical parameters studied, only the electrical conductivity appeared as the parameter to be monitored during the treatment of wastewater to reduce the load of fecal coliforms. A physical treatment is necessary especially for decantation followed by biodenitrification.    Key words: Wastewater, pollution, physicochemical parameters, fecal coliform, El Jadida, PCA.