Bacteriological Quality of Well Waters in Garoua, North Cameroon

Groundwater serves as a major source of drinking water in North Cameroon. Water quality is an important determinant of human health, considering in particular waterborne diseases in local communities. This study aimed at assessing the bacteriological quality and potential sources of well water contamination in Garoua, a metropolis of North Cameroon. The water quality of 23 wells was assessed through commonly used microbiological tests. Also analysed were physicochemical parameters of the water. For each well, monthly sampling was performed during 10 months; physical characteristics of sampling sites were documented and potential sources of contamination were identified. Results showed that the abundance of heterotrophic aerobic and mesophilic bacteria and bacterial bio-indicators in well water in Garoua all exceeded the WHO’s drinking water standards. Total coliforms were present in all well water samples at high concentrations ( 5.0 × 10 2 to 4.8 × 10 4 CFU/100 ml of water). The water harbours relatively high concentrations of faecal coliforms ( 1.2 × 10 2 to 2.3 × 10 4 CFU/100 ml of water). Escherichia coli and faecal streptococci concentrations showed high spatial and seasonal variations from one well to another. The physicochemical analysis showed that, in 52.17 % of wells, water was acidic with various mineralization. The principal component analysis pointed out that seasonality had less influence on the majority of measured water parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and salinity) than the location of the well water point. Human wastes from the traditional latrines system extensively used in this area, and animal manure might have contaminated the wells.