​Water Quality Assessment of the Ouled Mellouk Dam Treatment Plant, North Western Algeria

Abstract

Background: This study aims was to assess the water quality and efficiency of the Ouled Mellouk dam treatment plant (North Western Algeria). This plant consists of conventional water treatment units, like other treatment plants in Algeria, these were coagulation- floculation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection. Methods: The study was based on analyzes and monitoring of the main physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters of raw and treated water monthly from January to December 2018. Result: Raw water has relatively high hardness (49°F). Turbidity was high (23.93 NTU), manganese has a max of 0.407 mg/l.These values exceeded the Algerian standards limits. Nutrients and organic matter were in increase and coliforms were present with high levels. All analysed parameters were in decrease in treated water, with the exception of sulphate which was in increase and they were within the Algerian standards. The plant has a moderate removal efficiency of 48%, with a high removal effeciency of coliforms (100%), of turbidity (94.62%) and manganese (88.69%).