Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to examine the bacteriological quality of the drinking water samples to evaluate the results with the Algeria and international standards for drinking water quality, as well as the identification of the dominant microflora. The water samples (groundwater) are collected monthly from six sites in Béni-Abbés district. Most of the samples have shown the occurrence of Escherichia coli, in addition to Salmonella sp and Clostridium sp. Out of 300 water samples collected, 126 (42%) were contaminated with either one or more than one type of microorganisms: Enterobacter gergoviae detected in 26 samples (11.06%), E. coli in 63 (22.98%), Citrobacter freundii in 16 (6.81%), Vibrio vulnificus in 2 (0.85%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 19 samples (8.09%) and Serratia liquefaciens in 22 (9.36%). Clostridium was the common cause of contamination, about 45 (16.60%), and Salmonella sp was detected in 66 (24.25%), Salmonella typhi in 44 samples (18.72%) and Salmonella paratyphi in 13 samples (5.53%). The ï¬ndings of this study highlight the need for a more stringent self-control of drinking water. In addition, a more systematic surveillance by the official authorities of drinking water is also necessary. Key words: Bacteria, Béni-Abbès, drinking water, groundwater quality, indicators, microbial analysis, Escherichia coli.  
Highlights
Most drinking water in Algerian dry regions comes from groundwater
All samples were tested for bacteriological contamination by total aerobic bacteria, indicators groups and potential pathogenic bacteria (Table 1)
Total plate count for total bacterial count performed for all water samples showed only 58.33% samples were within the WHO (1996) guideline value (
Summary
Most drinking water in Algerian dry regions comes from groundwater. The quality and purity of this groundwater has direct effect on human health. The use of certain bacteria, as indicators of the potential presence of pathogenic microorganisms in natural and treated waters, is the standard means of assessing the microbiological quality of a water body (Nair et al, 2006). Water scarcity is a major problem in many developing countries. Drinking water is indispensable for human life. In many parts of the world, the water is provided only at certain time intervals during the day.
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