Wastewater Discharge Impact on Groundwater Quality of Béchar City, Southwestern Algeria: An Anthropogenic Activities Mapping Approach

Southwestern Algeria, where Béchar city is located, crossed along 16 Km by the Béchar wadi from north to south. Very large wastewater outflow is discharging in this river, which has negative impact on groundwater quality. In spite of water supply network coverage estimated by 96% (2007), are solicited for very sensitive daily tasks (irrigation, Turk bath, public bath, washing…). Assessing human activity impact is an approach that is selected in this work to determine the impact of wastewater on groundwater quality. Some elements are selected like NO3, NO2, NH4+, Eh, and O2 as pollution indicators and potential tracers of wastewater.