Abstract
In developing countries, most of the population does not have access to drinking water and is therefore subject to use groundwater and surface water for it’s domestic needs without taking into consideration it’s quality and health repercussions. This study seeks to assess the physicochemical and biological quality of water in some springs, wells and streams of the Ngoumou municipality in Cameroon. Several physico-chemical parameters coupled to biological variables were applied in the evaluation of the quality of these waters. The physicochemical quality was evaluated by standard methods for the monitoring of water quality. Biological analyses were performed by the direct method and the Zhiel-Neelsen method using a 40X and 100X optical microscope. The physico-chemical analysis reveals a low organic pollution and shows that these waters are acidic, lowly mineralized and presents low oxygen saturation. The biological quality revealed the presence the oocystic load of Cryptosporidium sp (872 oocysts/L), Cyclospora sp (224 oocysts/L) and Isospora sp (133 oocysts/L). Oocysts of Cryptosporidium sp (170oocysts/L) were identified in the aquatic system of the Ngoumou sub-urban area. Oocysts density was positively correlated with suspended solids, water color and turbidity. The presence of these organisms in this communal water system depicts faecal contamination. It is urgent to raise awareness on the protection of this precious natural resource and safe the population from rampant diarrheal diseases.
Highlights
Pollution and water scarcity are a global problem whose aspect and scopes are different, according to the levels of development of the nations
The orthophosphates concentrations range from0 to 4.3 mg/L, with an average of 2.1±1.01 mg/L. nitrates and orthophosphates concentrations are low compared to WHO standards for drinking water [10]
The non-sporulated forms occur with clusters of 2 μms refractive globules and the sporulated oocysts have two sporocysts each containing two sporozoits
Summary
Pollution and water scarcity are a global problem whose aspect and scopes are different, according to the levels of development of the nations. The production of clean and safe drinking water still remains a major problem in our society [2]. The absence of the public water supply network obliges the villagers to obtain supplies directly from surface and underground water. This is the case in the district of Ngoumou where people rely on springs, well and streams for their domestic needs [3]. Those who are at risks of diseases (amoebic dysentery, giardiasis, abdominal pain and diarrhea) carried by this water are infants, young children, and immunocompromised people. Almost 60% of infant mortality worldwide is attributable to water-related infectious diseases [4]
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