Some springs in Awing, North West Cameroon, were assessed in order to ascertain their quality for human consumption. Achialum, Meupi, and Ala'amiti quarters in Awing depend on springs as the major source of drinking water and inhabitants consume it in its natural state without prior assessment and treatment. Water samples were collected from Achialum, Meupi, and Ala'amiti and analysed for organoleptic, physicochemical, and bacteriological parameters using standard methods. Results of organoleptic and physicochemical parameters showed that most of the parameters fell below WHO limits. Water quality index results, based on physicochemical parameters only, showed that Achialum and Ala'amiti springs were of good quality while Meupi spring was of poor quality. Water quality index may not carry enough information about the real quality situation since a single bad parameter value can give misleading information about the water quality. However, the bacteriological aspect revealed the presence of faecal coliforms and pathogenic bacteria in all the springs that justified the high rate of water borne diseases recorded in the area. This poor water quality could be associated to poor hygiene and farming practices. Thus, the population of Awing should implement home water treatment methods such as boiling, filtration, or chlorination before consumption.

A study based on the spatial variability and contamination levels of fresh water resources by saline intrusion was conducted in the Douala coastal area. The study was aimed at highlighting the associations between major ions in ground water from which cause-effect relationships could be inferred. Water samples were collected from 19 stations. 3 stations were selected from the mangrove area and 16 stations were selected from the rest of the area partitioned into four transects (coastal transect, inner transect 1, inner transect 2 and inner transect 3). Sampling was done repeatedly during the dry season and these samples were analysed for physico-chemical parameters. Results show that the samples were acidic (pH: 4.7 -6.7). Total dissolved solids (TDS) and electrical conductivity (EC) values ranged between 70.3 -3703 mg/L and 136.4 -7333 μS/cm respectively indicating medium salt enrichment and brackish waters. High temperatures (T˚C) and low dissolved oxygen (DO) values of 26˚C -30.3˚C and 0.96 -3.9 mg/L respectively were observed and this could be interpreted as the acceleration of biological and chemical processes of ground water resources. Major ions were within the WHO limits except for Ca 2+ (20.3 -85 mg/L) and Mg 2+ (6.6 -49.6 mg/L) respectively whose concentrations were slightly higher. Ca -SO − , 26.3% Ca 2+ -Cl − and 10.5% Na + -Cl − . 89.5% of the water types had secondary salinity implying that anthropogenic sources were the source of salinity. The water was not fit for drinking. The values calculated for percentage sodium and sodium absorption ratio to determine its suitability for agricultural purposes revealed that 63.15%, 15.5%, 5.3% and 15.8% of sampled water were excellent, good, doubtful and unsuitable respectively for irrigation purposes. The need for water resource monitoring and forecasting regarding deterioration in quality is imperative before hazards of the rise in sea level arise.

In recent years, research on biochar as an eco-friendly material and cost-effective means for water treatment, soil amendment and carbon sequestration has gained more attention due to the availability of feedstock, the simplicity of the preparation methods, and their enhanced physico-chemical properties. Given that pyrolysis temperature and resident time amongst other factors have significant effect on biochar’s pollutant removal efficacy, this study focused on the evaluation of some properties of biochars produced by pyrolysis (500 - 600 °C) from Entandrophragma cylindricum (ECB), Eucalyptus maiden (EMB), Milicia excelsa (MEB) and Ocotea michelsonie (OMB) sawdusts for their water treatment potentials by using standardized methods. Biomass generated from wood mill in the city of Goma (DR Congo) is valorised for the first time as potential water  purifier. The highest yield was obtained from OMB (36.6%) which was found to be significantly greater that those of ECB and EMB (p<0.05). All the biochars had neutral to weakly alkaline pH (7.10-7.90), very high porosity (92-94%, with EMB having the highest value) and ash content between 9.40 and 18.40%, with the highest value attributed to OMB). Most physical and chemical characteristics of biochars varied significantly due to different wood species. Potential toxic elements were far belowenvironmental threshold values and exchangeable cations were equally detected in the biochars. The obtained biochars are therefore seen as good media for water treatment.