Hydrochemical evaluation of spring's water in Mila Wilaya, North-East Algeria

Abstract Springs are natural outflows of groundwater to the surface, enabling to understand the processes of their mineralization; contact with rocks modifies their chemical composition, a combination that is expressed in hydrochemical facies, which are classified into several types. Knowledge of the spatial distribution and chemical composition of spring waters is essential for a good understanding of the hydrodynamisms and hydrogeology of a given region. The mountains bordering the town of Mila are home to a number of groundwater springs, 25 of which are the subject of this study. They were sampled, then analysed at the ADE Mila (Algerian Water Company) laboratory in 2021, and their hydrochemical properties were determined. Geologically, the area hosting these springs belongs to the Tellian domain, the eastern segment of the Maghreb chain, which represents the alpine range of North Africa. Comparison of the water quality of these springs with Algerian and WHO (World Health Organization) drinkable standards has enabled most samples to be classified as soft or moderately hard water, with the dominant facies HCO3-–Ca2+–Mg2+ and Cl−–SO42-–Ca2+–Mg2+. In these waters, the main factors controlling hydrochemical composition are water–rock interactions, and rainwater contribution.