Water Quality of Borehole and Shallow Wells Feeding Artificial Fish Ponds in Bechar Province, Southwestern Algeria: Bacteriological and Physicochemical Aspects

This study aimed to assess the bacteriological and physicochemical properties of the water supplying the artificial concrete fish ponds in Bechar province (Southwestern Algeria).

Bacteriological and physicochemical parameters were assessed using standard procedures for water and wastewater analysis, as outlined by the APHA and WEF.

Physicochemical analysis showed that water temperatures ranged from 18 to 21°C, with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH (7.4 to 8.53). Electrical conductivity (EC) varied from 1313 to 3848 μS/cm and the water was classified as hard, with total hardness (TH) ranging from 297 to 873 mg/L. Bacteriological analysis revealed that 13 of the 21 samples (62%) complied with national regulations, while 8 samples (38%) were contaminated with fecal coliforms, fecal streptococci and sulfite-reducing Clostridia (SRC) spores. Five samples (Sb7, Sb8, St15, St16, St17) and one sample (Sb7) were contaminated with Pseudomonas spp and Salmonella spp, respectively. Among the 21 samples analyzed, 16 had a total aerobic mesophilic flora (TAMF) load ranging from 2 to 4 Log₁₀ CFU/mL at 22°C, while the remaining 5 had a TAMF load below 2 Log₁₀ CFU/mL. Pathogen identification revealed the presence of Salmonella choleraesuis ssp. arizonae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We observed that the contaminated samples originated from the elevated water storage tank in Boukais and from some shallow well samples in Taghit, whereas borehole samples from Nif-Rhaa (Ouakda) and Boukais showed good microbiological quality. Further investigation is needed to identify the source of water contamination. Ensuring water quality is essential for safe aquaculture practices, which contribute to high-quality fish production and national food safety strategies.