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

Alice Magha; Margaret Tita Awah; Gus Djibril Kouankap Nono; Pierre Wotchoko; Mispa Ayuk Tabot; Veronique Kamgang Kabeyene

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajep.20150403.17

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

Alice Magha, Margaret Tita Awah, Gus Djibril Kouankap Nono, Pierre Wotchoko, Mispa Ayuk Tabot, Veronique Kamgang Kabeyene

Published in American Journal of Environmental Protection (Volume 4, Issue 3)

Received: 16 April 2015 Accepted: 22 April 2015 Published: 16 May 2015

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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.

Published in	American Journal of Environmental Protection (Volume 4, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajep.20150403.17
Page(s)	163-173
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Bamenda III, Faecal Bacterial Analysis, Physico-Chemical Analysis, Water Quality

References

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APA Style

Alice Magha, Margaret Tita Awah, Gus Djibril Kouankap Nono, Pierre Wotchoko, Mispa Ayuk Tabot, et al. (2015). Physico-Chemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Spring and Well Water in Bamenda III (NW Region, Cameroon). American Journal of Environmental Protection, 4(3), 163-173. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20150403.17

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ACS Style

Alice Magha; Margaret Tita Awah; Gus Djibril Kouankap Nono; Pierre Wotchoko; Mispa Ayuk Tabot, et al. Physico-Chemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Spring and Well Water in Bamenda III (NW Region, Cameroon). Am. J. Environ. Prot. 2015, 4(3), 163-173. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20150403.17

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AMA Style

Alice Magha, Margaret Tita Awah, Gus Djibril Kouankap Nono, Pierre Wotchoko, Mispa Ayuk Tabot, et al. Physico-Chemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Spring and Well Water in Bamenda III (NW Region, Cameroon). Am J Environ Prot. 2015;4(3):163-173. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20150403.17

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@article{10.11648/j.ajep.20150403.17,
  author = {Alice Magha and Margaret Tita Awah and Gus Djibril Kouankap Nono and Pierre Wotchoko and Mispa Ayuk Tabot and Veronique Kamgang Kabeyene},
  title = {Physico-Chemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Spring and Well Water in Bamenda III (NW Region, Cameroon)},
  journal = {American Journal of Environmental Protection},
  volume = {4},
  number = {3},
  pages = {163-173},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajep.20150403.17},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20150403.17},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajep.20150403.17},
  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.},
 year = {2015}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Physico-Chemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Spring and Well Water in Bamenda III (NW Region, Cameroon)
AU  - Alice Magha
AU  - Margaret Tita Awah
AU  - Gus Djibril Kouankap Nono
AU  - Pierre Wotchoko
AU  - Mispa Ayuk Tabot
AU  - Veronique Kamgang Kabeyene
Y1  - 2015/05/16
PY  - 2015
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20150403.17
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajep.20150403.17
T2  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JF  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JO  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
SP  - 163
EP  - 173
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5699
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20150403.17
AB  - 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.
VL  - 4
IS  - 3
ER  -

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Author Information

Alice Magha

Department of Geology, HTTC, The University of Bamenda, Bambili; Bamenda, Cameroon; Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Margaret Tita Awah

Department of Geology, HTTC, The University of Bamenda, Bambili; Bamenda, Cameroon
Gus Djibril Kouankap Nono

Department of Geology, HTTC, The University of Bamenda, Bambili; Bamenda, Cameroon
Pierre Wotchoko

Department of Geology, HTTC, The University of Bamenda, Bambili; Bamenda, Cameroon
Mispa Ayuk Tabot

Department of Geology, HTTC, The University of Bamenda, Bambili; Bamenda, Cameroon
Veronique Kamgang Kabeyene

Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon

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APA Style

Alice Magha, Margaret Tita Awah, Gus Djibril Kouankap Nono, Pierre Wotchoko, Mispa Ayuk Tabot, et al. (2015). Physico-Chemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Spring and Well Water in Bamenda III (NW Region, Cameroon). American Journal of Environmental Protection, 4(3), 163-173. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20150403.17

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ACS Style

Alice Magha; Margaret Tita Awah; Gus Djibril Kouankap Nono; Pierre Wotchoko; Mispa Ayuk Tabot, et al. Physico-Chemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Spring and Well Water in Bamenda III (NW Region, Cameroon). Am. J. Environ. Prot. 2015, 4(3), 163-173. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20150403.17

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AMA Style

Alice Magha, Margaret Tita Awah, Gus Djibril Kouankap Nono, Pierre Wotchoko, Mispa Ayuk Tabot, et al. Physico-Chemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Spring and Well Water in Bamenda III (NW Region, Cameroon). Am J Environ Prot. 2015;4(3):163-173. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20150403.17

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@article{10.11648/j.ajep.20150403.17,
  author = {Alice Magha and Margaret Tita Awah and Gus Djibril Kouankap Nono and Pierre Wotchoko and Mispa Ayuk Tabot and Veronique Kamgang Kabeyene},
  title = {Physico-Chemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Spring and Well Water in Bamenda III (NW Region, Cameroon)},
  journal = {American Journal of Environmental Protection},
  volume = {4},
  number = {3},
  pages = {163-173},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajep.20150403.17},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20150403.17},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajep.20150403.17},
  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.},
 year = {2015}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Physico-Chemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Spring and Well Water in Bamenda III (NW Region, Cameroon)
AU  - Alice Magha
AU  - Margaret Tita Awah
AU  - Gus Djibril Kouankap Nono
AU  - Pierre Wotchoko
AU  - Mispa Ayuk Tabot
AU  - Veronique Kamgang Kabeyene
Y1  - 2015/05/16
PY  - 2015
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20150403.17
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajep.20150403.17
T2  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JF  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JO  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
SP  - 163
EP  - 173
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5699
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20150403.17
AB  - 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.
VL  - 4
IS  - 3
ER  -

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