Abstract

CHARACTERIZING DRINKING WATER IN CAMEROON: FOCUS ON THE RESOURCES PROVIDED BY “CAMWATER” TO YAOUNDÉ’S CITY DWELLERS

Myriam Ghassi Ngamgouo, Pierre René Fotsing Kwetche*, Ernest Djoko, O’Neal Dorsel Youte, Anselme Michel Yawat Djogang and Josaphat Ndelo Di-Phanzu

ABSTRACT

Within the global framework of food security for disease prevention, the present survey was undertaken on the quality of drinking water provided by CAMWATER and distributed to Yaoundé city dwellers. Variables investigated consisted of the physical, chemical and bacteriological properties of the resources. All investigations were conducted according to WHO and AFNOR recommendations for the few investigated variables subsequent to fulfillment of all administrative and ethical requirements. Globally, significant variations of the specimen’s temperature were recorded (20°C through 27°C) and, 33% of these specimens were found to be out of the norms. All values for turbidity (found between 1 and 32.67 FTU) were beyond the standards, and all pH alkaline (7.11 and 8.10). In 42% of specimens, the color densities were generally high (0 and 139 mg/L (Pt-Co). With regards to chemicals, aluminum (0.00 and 0.02 mg/L) and chlorine (0.023 to 0.299 mg/L) concentrations were generally low. Microbiological investigations revealed that all specimens were contaminated with fecal coliforms but none contained fecal Streptococci. Inadequate flocculation and insufficient disinfection seemed be the causes of the high turbidity and bacterial proliferation recorded throughout the distribution system. This was aided by suspended material that provided physical supports and nutrients for potential etiologies of waterborne diseases in biofilms. Frequent pieces of information related to these few parameters could provide reliable clue for advocacy on sustainable drinking water management policy development.

Keywords: Drinking water quality Yaoundé city dwellers.