Surface Water Pollution and its Implication in the Kumba Municipality of Cameroon.

Fombe, Lawrence F.; Bih, Queenta Ntum

Poor management of municipal solid waste and surface water contamination constitute a potent danger to the population of the Kumba Municipality. The predicament of water supply has forced many urban residents to rely on polluted stream and well water for domestic and other uses that impact negatively on their health. The study analysed the effects of municipal solid waste and surface water management as a reference point to unveil better management strategies that can alleviate health hazards in the study area. Data collection was based on a cross-sectional and household survey in ten sampled sites. Laboratory tests were undertaken to determine the degree of contamination of water sources by iron, manganese, chlorine and organic matter. Findings revealed that poor waste disposal and collection methods were associated with surface water contamination which increased the incidence of common diseases like malaria, typhoid, dysentery, and cholera. Leachates from waste heaps were noticed to have increased the acidity, turbidity and pollution levels of most water sources in the municipality. Education of the population on urban environmental and waste management schemes is invaluable to address the poor waste disposal attitudes and associated problems. The need for the municipal authority to integrate local initiatives through sensitization and clean-up campaigns is important.

CAMEROON; WATER pollution; WATER quality; WATER conservation; MUNICIPAL government

Loyola Journal of Social Sciences, 2014, Vol 28, Issue 1, p7

0971-4960

Academic Journal