Drinking water quality and monitoring in North Africa: the Moroccan experience

Abstract

In Morocco, the water quality standards have been derived from World Health Organization guidelines for all that concerns bacteriological and toxicological parameters; for the rest of the parameters, several other sources have been used especially EEC, US and Canadian standards. Local considerations have dictated, however, the value of the maximum acceptable level adopted for the total dissolved solids (2000 mg/l), instead of the 1500 mg/l generally considered to be the maximum acceptable level. The National Office of Potable Water (ONEP) developed quite an extensive network for water quality monitoring, comprised of a central laboratory conducting all sorts of analytical determinations ranging from parasitological, planktonic and bacteriological examinations, to the determination of trace metals, pesticides, global radioactivity and toxicity tests. The work of the central laboratory is seconded by 34 small branch laboratories spread all over the country. The preparation of reference analytical methodologies has been a subject on the agenda of the next phase of the work of the commission in charge of the preparation of standards dealing with drinking water. A first approach of the Moroccan water quality standards implementation have been made by ONEP. The evaluation of the costs necessary to be in conformity with these standards and the dispensation requests to be presented, where appropriate, to health authorities are on the way.