Authors :
Modeste Lumnwi; Engome R. Wotany; Wilson Yetoh Fantong; Samuel Ndonwi Ayonghe
Volume/Issue :
Volume 8 - 2023, Issue 3 - March
Google Scholar :
https://bit.ly/3TmGbDi
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/3Ki27MQ
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7779981
Abstract :
The consumption of unsafe drinking water is
a vitalpublic health concern. This study investigates the
bacteriological quality and physicochemical parameters
of drinking water sources within the Sub-Division.
Fieldwork conducted in February and July 2018
involved the collection of water samples from 27 springs,
8 streams, 1 borehole, 4 wells and 2 rainwater sources
from 24 communities. was.Physico-chemical and
microbiological analysis of the water samples was
performed following the standards technique set by
APHA 2016 and statistical analysis was carried out using
SPSS 21 and Rockworks software. The results indicated
pH values >8 (36.6%) which are above the recommended
standards by WHO for drinking water and which may
lead to the corrosion of pipes. Total coliform count
ranged from 1 to 236 per 100ml and was observed in
64.2 % of the water samples making them unsuitable for
drinking. The relative abundance of cations and anions
stood at Ca2+>Mg2+>K+>Na+and HCO3
->NO3
->Cl-
>SO4
2
->F-
. The major water type was Ca2+HCO3
-
and
the water resources were rich in Ca2+ and HCO3-
. The
mineralogy of water samples was based on water-rock
interaction from weathered igneousrocks which are
predominantly basalts rich in calcium. The health
impacts of resultant waterborne diseases were evident in
the community as shown by records from hospitals and
health centers. Diarrhoea was prevalentin children
between the ages of <1-10 years and cyclical occurrences
of waterborne diseaseswere observed throughout the
year during the wet and dry seasons. Suitable
management strategies such as the protection of water
sources, proper treatment and distribution of the water,
as well as the protection of watershedswere identified as
possible strategies for safeguardingthe quality of the
water supply systems in the area.
Keywords :
Bafut, potable water sources, physicochemical parameters microbial quality, health risks, water-borne diseases
The consumption of unsafe drinking water is
a vitalpublic health concern. This study investigates the
bacteriological quality and physicochemical parameters
of drinking water sources within the Sub-Division.
Fieldwork conducted in February and July 2018
involved the collection of water samples from 27 springs,
8 streams, 1 borehole, 4 wells and 2 rainwater sources
from 24 communities. was.Physico-chemical and
microbiological analysis of the water samples was
performed following the standards technique set by
APHA 2016 and statistical analysis was carried out using
SPSS 21 and Rockworks software. The results indicated
pH values >8 (36.6%) which are above the recommended
standards by WHO for drinking water and which may
lead to the corrosion of pipes. Total coliform count
ranged from 1 to 236 per 100ml and was observed in
64.2 % of the water samples making them unsuitable for
drinking. The relative abundance of cations and anions
stood at Ca2+>Mg2+>K+>Na+and HCO3
->NO3
->Cl-
>SO4
2
->F-
. The major water type was Ca2+HCO3
-
and
the water resources were rich in Ca2+ and HCO3-
. The
mineralogy of water samples was based on water-rock
interaction from weathered igneousrocks which are
predominantly basalts rich in calcium. The health
impacts of resultant waterborne diseases were evident in
the community as shown by records from hospitals and
health centers. Diarrhoea was prevalentin children
between the ages of <1-10 years and cyclical occurrences
of waterborne diseaseswere observed throughout the
year during the wet and dry seasons. Suitable
management strategies such as the protection of water
sources, proper treatment and distribution of the water,
as well as the protection of watershedswere identified as
possible strategies for safeguardingthe quality of the
water supply systems in the area.
Keywords :
Bafut, potable water sources, physicochemical parameters microbial quality, health risks, water-borne diseases