The Region of Tangier-Tetuan (Northern of Morocco) experienced an important urban development in the last decade. For this reason, groundwater's quality is highly susceptible to deterioration by liquid and/or solid waste pollutants. Nevertheless, rural and some per urban residents are still pending on springs supplies for drinking water, irrigation and domestic activities without any treatment, so they are exposed to water diseases.
In order to evaluate the hygienic quality of these springs, a study was conducted during 2013. Fifteen springs were selected for the investigations on chemical and bacteriological parameters.
The physicochemical results showed that the majority of the studied springs are considered acceptable, except some springs that don't meet the standards recommended. Our study revealed also a serious contamination of groundwater by microbial agents, the concentrations of different microbial indicators differed, dependent on the spring's location with respect to the different sources of contamination.
Monitoring the chemical and bacteriological quality of drinking water is essential to prevent the population to health risk.