Assessing water quality in North-East Algeria: a comprehensive study using water quality index (WQI) and PCA

Abstract

Abstract Ensuring high water quality in Algeria, particularly in Annaba, is crucial for the well-being of its population and the sustainable development of its diverse ecosystems. The study focuses on the Cheffia Dam, Oued El Aneb, and Treat boreholes as crucial sources of drinking water. The water quality index (WQI) is used to assess water quality based on various physico-chemical parameters. The research spans from January to December 2021, analyzing 16 parameters, such as temperature, pH, conductivity, turbidity, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, nitrate, sulfate, phosphate, and iron, this results in a total of 36 samples and 576 analyses. Principal component analysis (PCA) is employed to delve into interrelationships between variables, revealing distinct characteristics for each site. This study, the first of its kind, provides a comprehensive 1-year evaluation of water quality in Annaba. The collected data serve as a valuable resource for future water management decisions, highlighting both temporal and spatial variations. The current study indicates that the analysis of water parameters, adherence to standards, and the application of WQI reveal that the water sources are generally good quality throughout the year with excellent water quality in autumn. However, challenges such as elevated turbidity in Cheffia dam water necessitate targeted interventions.