Bacteriological Vulnerability of Surface and Underground Waters in a Faecal Sludge Disposal Area in Dschang, Cameroon

Authors

  • Willy Fogang Noubep Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang,
  • Emmanuel Rodrigue Kenne Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, P. O. Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon
  • Emile Temgoua Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, P. O. Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon
  • Primus Azinwi Tamfuh Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, P. O. Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon / Department of Mining and Mineral Engineering, National Higher Polytechnic Institute, University of Bamenda, P. O. Box 39 Bambili, Cameroon
  • Hassan Yap Mfouapon Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, P. O. Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon
  • Ronny Roy Choumele Jiague Department of Earth Science, Faculty of Sciences, University of Dschang, P. O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon

Keywords:

Faecal sludge, Groundwater, Surface water, Bacteria, Faecal contamination

Abstract

The management of faecal sludge is a real problem for policy makers in developing countries. Liquid waste is being dumped in green spaces at the risk of polluting the groundwater table or surrounding water sources. The objective of this study is the bacteriological characterization of the different water sources affected by faecal sludge around the Central Prison of Dschang (Western Cameroon). Thus, four composite samples of faecal sludge and 18 water samples were taken for physicochemical and microbiological analyses. The Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) was determined by the incubation method and bacteriological analysis was done by counting the total aerobic mesophilic flora on specific media. The main results showed that the sludge has an average BOD5 of 2153.75 and a COD of 2505 mg/l with a pH and organic matter of 7.62 and 18.66, respectively. Pathogens in sludge for faecal coliforms (FC), E-coli, total coliforms (TC) and faecal streptococci (FS) counts (CFU/100 ml) stand at 18750, 15000, 526250 and 501050, respectively. The pit waters show significant variations in CF, E-coli, TC and FS of 12000-25000; 3000-17000; 20,000-728,000 and 22,000-36,000 CFU/100ml, respectively. These variations decrease in well water, notably between 6000-8000, 1000-2000, 5000-10000 and 5000-10000 CFU/100ml for CF, E-coli, CT and SF, respectively. On the other hand, river waters show variations of CF, E-coli, CT and SF of 8000-24000; 4000-11000; 2000-85000 and 1000-4000 CFU/100 ml, respectively. The water faecal contamination index (FCI) is high. The principal component analysis shows a very strong correlation between the properties studied. These results reveal that the discharge of sludge into the environment affects the water tables circulating at shallow depths on the site, but also the river and household water wells downstream, constituting a health risk for the population.

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Published

2023-08-25

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 2 (2023): Vol 5 Issue 2

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