GROUNDWATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT: A CASE STUDY OF THE TELEGHMA PLAIN, ALGERIA

The Teleghma plain is located in northeastern Algeria, in the upper valley of Oued Rhumel. It is characterised by a semi-arid climate with average annual precipitation of 300 mm/ year. The shallow aquifer of Mio-Plio-Quaternary is powered mainly by carbonate formations of the Eocene surrounding the région. The uncontrolled use of groundwater for irrigation has caused water stress in the area which has threatened the degradation of water quality. On the other hand, the intense use of chemical fertilisers for agriculture aims has caused groundwater pollution by nitrates where concentrations exceeded the standard limit recommended by the world health organisation.