Desalinated water quality: Remineralization technique at the Al-Hoceima desalination plant (northern Morocco)

¹ Laboratory of applied sciences, National School of Applied Sciences (ENSAH), Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
² Laboratory of Research and Development in Engineering Science, Faculty of Science and Technology of Al Hoceima (FSTH), Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
³ Laboratory of Engineering, Electrochemistry, Modeling and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, B.P. 30000, Fez, Morocco

^* Corresponding author: Soukaina.elkhalki@etu.uae.ac.ma

Abstract

One solution to the shortage of drinking water in Morocco is the development of reverse osmosis (RO) desalination plants. However, the quality of the permeate produced is corrosive, unbalanced, and does not meet the standards required for its use. The post-treatment process at the Al-Hoceima desalination plant in northern Morocco consists of the addition of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and hydrated lime (Ca (OH)₂). In this study, various analyses were utilized to assess the physical-chemical quality parameters of the water produced after remineralization. The results revealed that the remineralization method adopted by the plant is relatively complex and associated with difficulties in maintaining optimal remineralized water parameters such as pH, TAC, TH, and Ca²⁺. However, the water produced re-establishes its calcocarbonic balance and is of satisfactory quality for human consumption.