Bacteriological Analysis of Drinking Water from Kumba, South West Region Cameroon

Abstract

A total of 33 water samples, randomly and aseptically collected from four water sources (stream catchment, pipe borne, urban springs and main municipal reservoir) in Kumba, were assessed for bacteriological contamination. All were found positive for the presence of coliforms. 39.4% of the samples were categorized as grossly polluted, 21.2% as acceptable and 39.4% grossly polluted according to WHO standards. Specifically, the water samples were contaminated mainly with gram negative bacteria like E. coli, Shigella spp., Enterobacter spp., Streptococcus spp., and Salmonella spp., which are potential pathogens. However the bacterial loads were least in water samples graded as "Acceptable with low health risk". The presence of Escherichia coli was an indication of recent faecal pollution.