Résumé:
The present study was aimed to assess the surface water pollution
sources in a semiarid region of Algeria by characterizing the physicochemical
quality of the water of the main Wadis of the El Hodna watershed and determining
the water quality index according to the uses of drinking water, irrigation, and
aquatic life. This index is calculated in purpose to communicate information
on the water quality for concerned citizens and policymakers. The calculated
WQI values of the studied Wadis were higher than 100, which indicates that
the waters of the El Hodna watershed are unfit for human consumption,
irrigation, and aquatic life. The obtained results have shown that different
types of pollution (industrial, domestic and agricultural) affect the waters of
the El Hodna watershed, which lead to degrade the water quality of this
aquatic ecosystem and consequently its biodiversity and public health.