Physico-Chemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Spring and Well Water in Bamenda III (NW Region, Cameroon)

Abstract

Bamenda is a major town in the NW Region of Cameroon and constitutes part of the Cameroon Volcanic line. In the frame of this work, four springs and three wells in the Bamenda III council area were investigated to evaluate the physico-chemical and bacteriological characteristics of their waters. All the water points yielded pH values below 6.5 and were classified as acidic water. Electrical conductivity ranged between 0.04-2.38μm/cm. The relative abundance of major ions (meq/l) was Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+>Na+ for cations and HCO3ˉ > SO42ˉ > NO3ˉ > PO43ˉ for anions. Major ion concentrations were within the WHO guidelines for drinking water, but Ca2+ (110-1770mg/l) and Mg2+ (97.05-236.85mg/l) concentrations were much higher and above WHO limits. Main water types in the dry season were Ca-Mg-HCO3 while in rainy season the main water types were Ca-Mg-HCO3 and a mixed Ca-Mg-SO4. Bacterial analysis revealed that the water samples were highly polluted and classified B, C and D according to Cheesbrough classification. The spring and well waters analysed are not suitable for drinking and domestic purposes therefore the population of Bamenda III which depends on the mentioned water for drinking and domestic purposes may face serious health problems if appropriate actions are not taken to prevent and mitigate the problems.