An Ecological Assessment of the Physico-chemical and Biological Water Quality in a Sub-urban Area in Cameroon: Case of the Ngoumou Rural Council

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.