Physico-chemical and bacteriological characterisation of surface water in Bamenda (North West Cameroon)

Alice Magha Mufur,Gus Djibril Kouankap Nono,Kamgang Kabeyene Véronique Beyala,Pierre Wotchoko,Primus Azinwi Tamfuh,Margaret Tita Awah

doi:10.1007/s13201-021-01512-3

Alice Magha Mufur, Gus Djibril Kouankap Nono + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-021-01512-3

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Abstract

The Mezam River and its tributaries constitute a prominent water source for domestic use and vegetable irrigation in Bamenda Town (North West Cameroon). The river flows through the city and is thus vulnerable to impairment by substances from point and non-point sources. This current research aims to assess the degree of pollution of the Mezam River water to ascertain its suitability for various uses. A total of 24 water samples were collected from six segments of the Mezam River basin in the dry and rainy seasons during the years 2015 and 2016 in view of physico-chemical and bacteriological analyses. In situ measurement of physical parameters was taken in the field. The data were analysed by multivariate statistical techniques (principal component analysis and factor analysis). The results revealed that the river water is slightly acidic (pH = 5.45–6.47) and ion concentration is low (41.67–237.00 µS/cm). The water type is Ca-SO4 and Ca-Mg-(Cl + NO3) in the dry season and Ca-Mg-SO4 in the rainy season. High NO3− values (50 mg/l) are recorded at Nkimefueh. The Mezam River water is heavily polluted with indicator bacteria (0–500 CFU/100 ml) whose concentrations steadily increase from the reference point (YB) through sampling points in the city centre, suggesting the influence of human-induced activities. The population is urged to adopt a responsible behaviour towards waste disposal and refrain from disposing waste in water courses in order to safeguard the aquatic environment and also protect the health of the population.

Highlights

Water is crucial for the existence of all life forms, yet the precious liquid is overwhelmingly degraded as the world’s population continuously skyrockets (Alabi et al 2020)
Like in most developing countries, most industrial, domestic and agricultural wastes flow untreated into the river and its tributaries, thereby posing a serious health threat as thousands of inhabitants continue to depend on the polluted river water for daily use (Ako et al 2010; Nyenje 2014; Mary Banke et al 2020)
This necessitates an investigation of the river water quality to assess its suitability for various purposes

Summary

Introduction

Water is crucial for the existence of all life forms, yet the precious liquid is overwhelmingly degraded as the world’s population continuously skyrockets (Alabi et al 2020). The Mezam River system in Bamenda (Cameroon) lacks protective mechanisms and has been turned by many residents into refuse dumps which makes it unfit for various activities In this community, like in most developing countries, most industrial, domestic and agricultural wastes flow untreated into the river and its tributaries, thereby posing a serious health threat as thousands of inhabitants continue to depend on the polluted river water for daily use (Ako et al 2010; Nyenje 2014; Mary Banke et al 2020). Like in most developing countries, most industrial, domestic and agricultural wastes flow untreated into the river and its tributaries, thereby posing a serious health threat as thousands of inhabitants continue to depend on the polluted river water for daily use (Ako et al 2010; Nyenje 2014; Mary Banke et al 2020) This necessitates an investigation of the river water quality to assess its suitability for various purposes. The results obtained will serve as a benchmark for various stakeholders in the sustainable management of surface water resources in Bamenda Town and beyond

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