Effects of Household Waste Disposal on Surface and Ground Waters in the Rapidly Urbanising Mamfe Town (South-West Region, Cameroon)

Abstract

Huge waste generation by the rapidly growing Mamfe town is posing enormous environmental challenges. This work that aimed at examining the implications of household waste on potable water sources, used the mixed research design, combining descriptive and experimental approaches. Ground (Two wells, one borehole) and surface (two streams) sources were sampled and empirical data for physicochemical parameters (PH, EC, water temperature, TDS, and salinity) of the five water samples were measured in-situ using a multi-meter and complemented by questionnaires and interviews information. Data obtained were analysed using the One-way ANOVA and chi-square tests. Except for the pH, values of 11 of the 12 physical and chemical elements (Temperature, EC, TDS, pH, Ca3²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, HCO₃^-, Cl^-, NO₃ ^-) were within permissible limits of WHO drinking water standard. Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed two clusters: EC and TDS; and temperature  (℃), pH, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, HCO₃^-, Cl^-, NO₃^-, and salinity. Spearman correlation analysis for minor parameters as Temperature, EC, TDS and Cl^- and major parameters of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and HCO₃,reveals a strong positive correlation between HCO₃^- and Ca²⁺, temperature and NO₃^-. Therefore, municipal authorities are entreated to implement sustainable waste and water management strategies.