Jornal de Bacteriologia e Parasitologia

Abstrato

Wastewater Reuse for Irrigation in Morocco: Helminth Eggs Contamination’s Level of Irrigated Crops and Sanitary Risk (A Case Study of Settat and Soualem Regions)

Hajjami K, Ennaji MM, Fouad S, Oubrim N and Cohen N

The present study aimed to evaluate potential risk that humans and animals are exposed, when wastewaters (raw and treated) are reused for irrigation. Helminth eggs were researched in (n=120) wastewater samples (untreated: 60 and treated: 60); collected from two Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) located at Settat and Soualem in Morocco, (n=69) crops samples (mint, coriander, alfalfa and cereals) collected from farmland, alongside around the WWTPs that have been irrigated by the treated wastewater and other crops (coriander, parsley and radish) issued from field trials. Samples were examined by a concentration method. The analysis of vegetable samples has revealed that 50% (35/69) of crops from farmland were contaminated by helminth eggs, with an average concentration of 8.4 eggs/100 g. In the experimental study, we have found helminth eggs’s mean concentration of 35.62 eggs/100 g, 9.14 eggs/100 g and 0 eggs/100 g in crops irrigated by raw wastewater, treated wastewater and fresh water, respectively. Among helminth eggs detected in vegetables, we noted Taenia sp, Ascaris sp, Toxocara sp and Strongyle eggs. In regard to results of this study, irrigation with wastewater conduct to parasitological contamination of irrigated crops, several actions may be made in order to reduce sanitary risk associated to this practice.