Microbiological water quality of the Mfoundi River watershed at Yaoundé, Cameroon, as inferred from indicator bacteria of fecal contamination

Abstract

Microbiological water quality of the Mfoundi River watershed at Yaoundé, Cameroon, as inferred from indicator bacteria of fecal contamination Djuikom, E.; Njine, T.; Nola, M.; Sikati, V.; Jugnia, L.-B. Abstract. Using the membrane filtration technique to count total coliform (TC), fecal coliform (FC) and fecal streptococci (FS), the microbiological water quality of the Mfoundi River and four of its representative tributaries at Yaoundé, Cameroon, was assessed for human use and contact. Sampling was conducted so as to examine the potential origin of fecal contamination and how rainfall affects the measured concentrations of indicators organisms. Our results revealed that waters were not safe for human use or primary contact according to the standards for water quality established by the Word Health Organization (WHO). Indeed, these waters exhibited high concentrations of TC (Mean ± SD = 5.6 × 10 8 ± 2.5 × 10 6 CFU/100 ml), FC (Mean ± SD = 6.8 × 10 5 ± 2.4 × 10 3 CFU/100 ml) and FS (Mean ± SD = 7.3 × 10 5 ± 2.1 × 10 3 CFU/100 ml) that varied with the sampling sites and points. FC/FS ratio suggested that this contamination was more from warm-blooded animals than humans and correlation analysis points to the role of rainfall as a contributing factor, which enhanced the bacterial numbers detected. We conclude that there is a great potential risk of infection for users of waters from the Mfoundi River and its tributaries at Yaoundé.

Significance and suitability of Aeromonas hydrophila vs. fecal coliforms in assessing microbiological water quality

“…Thus, waters from the Mfoundi River watershed can presumably be considered unsuitable for their multiple primary uses by the near shore population. This corroborates the results of our previous study on the microbiological water quality of this system, as inferred by bacterial indicators of fecal contamination (Djuikom et al 2006). Moreover, according to the water quality standard established for FC (\100 CFU/ 100 mL) by the Word Health Organization (WHO 1998) these waters are not safe for primary contact.…”

“…In view of this last trend for the different streams examined, one could suggest that, in addition to the stream flowing from a source and delivering a constant background supply of the bacteria to the mid and downstream sampling points, the stream receives additional bacterial loads from other sources. This has been previously suggested for bacterial indicators of fecal contamination in the Mfoundi River watershed (Djuikom et al 2006). A similar observation has been reported from the Mingoa stream, which belongs to the Mfoundi River watershed (Jugnia and Nsimé-Ngando 2001), where cesspools, seepages and row waste from the sewage system were detected.…”

Assessment of bacteriological quality of groundwater from boreholes in Maroua (Far North Cameroon)

“…The variations of pH values are likely accociated with the nature of the lands crossed because pH of groundwater is not different from the pH of crossed soil (Mkandawire, 2008;Nouayti et al, 2015). According to Djuikom (2006), the pH of water can also be influenced by the action of microorganisms and the proximity of latrines with water point. The electrical conductivity of borehole waters followed spatial variations.…”

Assessment of the characteristic of nutrients, total metals, and fecal coliform in Sibu Laut River, Sarawak, Malaysia

“…The microbiological quality of water is classically monitored by searching for and quantifying bacterial indicators of fecal contamination. Total coliform, fecal coliform, fecal streptococci and enterococci are among the most frequently used microbial indicators of fecal pollution (Malik and Ahmad 2002;Cabral and Marques 2006;Djuikom et al 2006;Kovačić et al 2011). Although not usually harmful themselves, their presence may indicate the possibility of pathogen presence (Bonadonna et al 2002;Dorsey et al 2012).…”