Physico-chemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Groundwater for Domestic and Irrigation Purposes in Santchou (Cameroon Western Highlands)

Magha Alice Mufur; Margaret Tita Awah; Primus Azinwi Tamfuh; Aduck Jovens Nyangang; Agien Gilbert Njei; Kamgang Kabeyene Veronique Beyela

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajep.20221103.12

Physico-chemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Groundwater for Domestic and Irrigation Purposes in Santchou (Cameroon Western Highlands)

Magha Alice Mufur, Margaret Tita Awah, Primus Azinwi Tamfuh, Aduck Jovens Nyangang, Agien Gilbert Njei, Kamgang Kabeyene Veronique Beyela

Published in American Journal of Environmental Protection (Volume 11, Issue 3)

Received: 30 April 2022 Accepted: 6 June 2022 Published: 14 June 2022

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Abstract

Groundwater quality is a function of the enclosing aquifer materials and/or human influences. Therefore, frequent water quality surveillance is essential as the subsurface resource is a main source of water supply in Santchou, Cameroon Western Highlands. In order to carry out the inquiries, 24 groundwater samples were collected during the wet period (July 2020) as well as during the dry season (February 2021) from springs, a borehole and hand-dug wells. The water samples were tested in the field for pH, electrical conductivity and turbidity, while two separate water samples were obtained from each sampling point for chemical and bacteriological parameters in the laboratory. The main results revealed that the studied groundwater samples are weakly mineralised, with a slightly acidic pH. The major ionic constituents of the sampled sources were within acceptable limits prescribed by the World Health Organisation except for Mg²⁺ and Cl^- that were noted in excess of the recommended values at some sites. Piper plot indicated that the water is essentially of Na-K-Cl-SO₄ type while the Gibbs diagram showed that hydrochemistry was predominantly due to rock-weathering. SAR (sodium absorption ratio) values, Na % (sodium percentage) and TH (total hardness) revealed that the water is suitable for irrigational practices. Microbiological pollutants such as Enterobacteria, E. coli, Streptococcus spp, Salmonella spp, Shigella spp, Vibrio spp and Staphylococcus spp were noticed in the water samples, and hence consumers’ health may be compromised if basic treatment methods like boiling and filtration are not performed before the water is used for drinking.

Published in	American Journal of Environmental Protection (Volume 11, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajep.20221103.12
Page(s)	62-73
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

Groundwater Quality, Physicochemical, Santchou, Drinking Water Supply, Irrigation Water Quality

References

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Magha Alice Mufur, Margaret Tita Awah, Primus Azinwi Tamfuh, Aduck Jovens Nyangang, Agien Gilbert Njei, et al. (2022). Physico-chemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Groundwater for Domestic and Irrigation Purposes in Santchou (Cameroon Western Highlands). American Journal of Environmental Protection, 11(3), 62-73. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20221103.12

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Magha Alice Mufur; Margaret Tita Awah; Primus Azinwi Tamfuh; Aduck Jovens Nyangang; Agien Gilbert Njei, et al. Physico-chemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Groundwater for Domestic and Irrigation Purposes in Santchou (Cameroon Western Highlands). Am. J. Environ. Prot. 2022, 11(3), 62-73. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20221103.12

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Magha Alice Mufur, Margaret Tita Awah, Primus Azinwi Tamfuh, Aduck Jovens Nyangang, Agien Gilbert Njei, et al. Physico-chemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Groundwater for Domestic and Irrigation Purposes in Santchou (Cameroon Western Highlands). Am J Environ Prot. 2022;11(3):62-73. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20221103.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ajep.20221103.12,
  author = {Magha Alice Mufur and Margaret Tita Awah and Primus Azinwi Tamfuh and Aduck Jovens Nyangang and Agien Gilbert Njei and Kamgang Kabeyene Veronique Beyela},
  title = {Physico-chemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Groundwater for Domestic and Irrigation Purposes in Santchou (Cameroon Western Highlands)},
  journal = {American Journal of Environmental Protection},
  volume = {11},
  number = {3},
  pages = {62-73},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajep.20221103.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20221103.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajep.20221103.12},
  abstract = {Groundwater quality is a function of the enclosing aquifer materials and/or human influences. Therefore, frequent water quality surveillance is essential as the subsurface resource is a main source of water supply in Santchou, Cameroon Western Highlands. In order to carry out the inquiries, 24 groundwater samples were collected during the wet period (July 2020) as well as during the dry season (February 2021) from springs, a borehole and hand-dug wells. The water samples were tested in the field for pH, electrical conductivity and turbidity, while two separate water samples were obtained from each sampling point for chemical and bacteriological parameters in the laboratory. The main results revealed that the studied groundwater samples are weakly mineralised, with a slightly acidic pH. The major ionic constituents of the sampled sources were within acceptable limits prescribed by the World Health Organisation except for Mg2+ and Cl- that were noted in excess of the recommended values at some sites. Piper plot indicated that the water is essentially of Na-K-Cl-SO4 type while the Gibbs diagram showed that hydrochemistry was predominantly due to rock-weathering. SAR (sodium absorption ratio) values, Na % (sodium percentage) and TH (total hardness) revealed that the water is suitable for irrigational practices. Microbiological pollutants such as Enterobacteria, E. coli, Streptococcus spp, Salmonella spp, Shigella spp, Vibrio spp and Staphylococcus spp were noticed in the water samples, and hence consumers’ health may be compromised if basic treatment methods like boiling and filtration are not performed before the water is used for drinking.},
 year = {2022}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Physico-chemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Groundwater for Domestic and Irrigation Purposes in Santchou (Cameroon Western Highlands)
AU  - Magha Alice Mufur
AU  - Margaret Tita Awah
AU  - Primus Azinwi Tamfuh
AU  - Aduck Jovens Nyangang
AU  - Agien Gilbert Njei
AU  - Kamgang Kabeyene Veronique Beyela
Y1  - 2022/06/14
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20221103.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajep.20221103.12
T2  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JF  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JO  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
SP  - 62
EP  - 73
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5699
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20221103.12
AB  - Groundwater quality is a function of the enclosing aquifer materials and/or human influences. Therefore, frequent water quality surveillance is essential as the subsurface resource is a main source of water supply in Santchou, Cameroon Western Highlands. In order to carry out the inquiries, 24 groundwater samples were collected during the wet period (July 2020) as well as during the dry season (February 2021) from springs, a borehole and hand-dug wells. The water samples were tested in the field for pH, electrical conductivity and turbidity, while two separate water samples were obtained from each sampling point for chemical and bacteriological parameters in the laboratory. The main results revealed that the studied groundwater samples are weakly mineralised, with a slightly acidic pH. The major ionic constituents of the sampled sources were within acceptable limits prescribed by the World Health Organisation except for Mg2+ and Cl- that were noted in excess of the recommended values at some sites. Piper plot indicated that the water is essentially of Na-K-Cl-SO4 type while the Gibbs diagram showed that hydrochemistry was predominantly due to rock-weathering. SAR (sodium absorption ratio) values, Na % (sodium percentage) and TH (total hardness) revealed that the water is suitable for irrigational practices. Microbiological pollutants such as Enterobacteria, E. coli, Streptococcus spp, Salmonella spp, Shigella spp, Vibrio spp and Staphylococcus spp were noticed in the water samples, and hence consumers’ health may be compromised if basic treatment methods like boiling and filtration are not performed before the water is used for drinking.
VL  - 11
IS  - 3
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Author Information

Magha Alice Mufur

Department of Geology, Higher Teacher Training College, The University of Bamenda, Bambili-Bamenda, Cameroon
Margaret Tita Awah

Department of Biology, Higher Teacher Training College, The University of Bamenda, Bambili-Bamenda, Cameroon
Primus Azinwi Tamfuh

Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
Aduck Jovens Nyangang

Deparment of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, College of Technology, The University of Bamenda, Bambili-Bamenda, Cameroon
Agien Gilbert Njei

Department of Geology, Higher Teacher Training College, The University of Bamenda, Bambili-Bamenda, Cameroon
Kamgang Kabeyene Veronique Beyela

Department of Earth Sciences, Ecole Normale Supéreiure Bertoua, University of Ngoundére, Bertoua, Cameroon

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Magha Alice Mufur, Margaret Tita Awah, Primus Azinwi Tamfuh, Aduck Jovens Nyangang, Agien Gilbert Njei, et al. (2022). Physico-chemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Groundwater for Domestic and Irrigation Purposes in Santchou (Cameroon Western Highlands). American Journal of Environmental Protection, 11(3), 62-73. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20221103.12

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Magha Alice Mufur; Margaret Tita Awah; Primus Azinwi Tamfuh; Aduck Jovens Nyangang; Agien Gilbert Njei, et al. Physico-chemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Groundwater for Domestic and Irrigation Purposes in Santchou (Cameroon Western Highlands). Am. J. Environ. Prot. 2022, 11(3), 62-73. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20221103.12

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Magha Alice Mufur, Margaret Tita Awah, Primus Azinwi Tamfuh, Aduck Jovens Nyangang, Agien Gilbert Njei, et al. Physico-chemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Groundwater for Domestic and Irrigation Purposes in Santchou (Cameroon Western Highlands). Am J Environ Prot. 2022;11(3):62-73. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20221103.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ajep.20221103.12,
  author = {Magha Alice Mufur and Margaret Tita Awah and Primus Azinwi Tamfuh and Aduck Jovens Nyangang and Agien Gilbert Njei and Kamgang Kabeyene Veronique Beyela},
  title = {Physico-chemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Groundwater for Domestic and Irrigation Purposes in Santchou (Cameroon Western Highlands)},
  journal = {American Journal of Environmental Protection},
  volume = {11},
  number = {3},
  pages = {62-73},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajep.20221103.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20221103.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajep.20221103.12},
  abstract = {Groundwater quality is a function of the enclosing aquifer materials and/or human influences. Therefore, frequent water quality surveillance is essential as the subsurface resource is a main source of water supply in Santchou, Cameroon Western Highlands. In order to carry out the inquiries, 24 groundwater samples were collected during the wet period (July 2020) as well as during the dry season (February 2021) from springs, a borehole and hand-dug wells. The water samples were tested in the field for pH, electrical conductivity and turbidity, while two separate water samples were obtained from each sampling point for chemical and bacteriological parameters in the laboratory. The main results revealed that the studied groundwater samples are weakly mineralised, with a slightly acidic pH. The major ionic constituents of the sampled sources were within acceptable limits prescribed by the World Health Organisation except for Mg2+ and Cl- that were noted in excess of the recommended values at some sites. Piper plot indicated that the water is essentially of Na-K-Cl-SO4 type while the Gibbs diagram showed that hydrochemistry was predominantly due to rock-weathering. SAR (sodium absorption ratio) values, Na % (sodium percentage) and TH (total hardness) revealed that the water is suitable for irrigational practices. Microbiological pollutants such as Enterobacteria, E. coli, Streptococcus spp, Salmonella spp, Shigella spp, Vibrio spp and Staphylococcus spp were noticed in the water samples, and hence consumers’ health may be compromised if basic treatment methods like boiling and filtration are not performed before the water is used for drinking.},
 year = {2022}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Physico-chemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Groundwater for Domestic and Irrigation Purposes in Santchou (Cameroon Western Highlands)
AU  - Magha Alice Mufur
AU  - Margaret Tita Awah
AU  - Primus Azinwi Tamfuh
AU  - Aduck Jovens Nyangang
AU  - Agien Gilbert Njei
AU  - Kamgang Kabeyene Veronique Beyela
Y1  - 2022/06/14
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20221103.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajep.20221103.12
T2  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JF  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JO  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
SP  - 62
EP  - 73
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5699
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20221103.12
AB  - Groundwater quality is a function of the enclosing aquifer materials and/or human influences. Therefore, frequent water quality surveillance is essential as the subsurface resource is a main source of water supply in Santchou, Cameroon Western Highlands. In order to carry out the inquiries, 24 groundwater samples were collected during the wet period (July 2020) as well as during the dry season (February 2021) from springs, a borehole and hand-dug wells. The water samples were tested in the field for pH, electrical conductivity and turbidity, while two separate water samples were obtained from each sampling point for chemical and bacteriological parameters in the laboratory. The main results revealed that the studied groundwater samples are weakly mineralised, with a slightly acidic pH. The major ionic constituents of the sampled sources were within acceptable limits prescribed by the World Health Organisation except for Mg2+ and Cl- that were noted in excess of the recommended values at some sites. Piper plot indicated that the water is essentially of Na-K-Cl-SO4 type while the Gibbs diagram showed that hydrochemistry was predominantly due to rock-weathering. SAR (sodium absorption ratio) values, Na % (sodium percentage) and TH (total hardness) revealed that the water is suitable for irrigational practices. Microbiological pollutants such as Enterobacteria, E. coli, Streptococcus spp, Salmonella spp, Shigella spp, Vibrio spp and Staphylococcus spp were noticed in the water samples, and hence consumers’ health may be compromised if basic treatment methods like boiling and filtration are not performed before the water is used for drinking.
VL  - 11
IS  - 3
ER  -

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