Bacteriological Quality Of Surface Waters In The Adamawa Region-Cameroon

François Desire OWONA EDOA, Anselme Crépin MAMA, Raoul Polycarpe Kayo Tuekam, Rachelle Eliane Essomba Biloa, Nathaniel Larry Lactio, Gabriel Bertrand Zambo, Dieudonné Mveng Mveng Junior

Abstract


This study, which aimed to evaluate the microbiological quality of surface waters in the Adamaoua Region of Cameroon, was conducted in February 2025 during the dry season. During this period, the scarcity of water leads to the common use of streams by humans and animals. The samples collected in sterilized glass bottles and stored in a cooler containing ice packs were analyzed within 6 hours (maximum) using a Whagtech portable bacteriological analysis kit. The results obtained after 24 hours of incubation allowed the enumeration of more than 2000 CFU/100 mL in the 10 sampling stations. The rivers Mayo Saourou, Anam, Minin, Bella Fokou, Massin, Mbewe, and Lake Mbakaou also showed extremely high levels of microbial contamination compared to the Mbong, Maba, and Maour rivers. The populations of the localities adjacent to the studied rivers are daily exposed to waterborne diseases. These results highlight the consequences of animal fecal pollution on the microbiological quality of water and the urgent need to increase the number of improved water sources in these study sites in order to reduce health risks for vulnerable populations.

Keywords


Bacteriological quality, Surface waters, Adamawa, Cameroon.

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.52155/ijpsat.v58.1.8322

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Copyright (c) 2026 François Desire OWONA EDOA, Anselme Crépin MAMA, Raoul Polycarpe Kayo Tuekam, Rachelle Eliane Essomba Biloa, Nathaniel Larry Lactio, Gabriel Bertrand Zambo, Dieudonné Mveng Mveng Junior

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