MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF SHALLOW IRRIGATION WATER AT NKOLBISSON A SUB-URBAN AREA OF YAOUNDE (CAMEROON): INFLUENCE OF SOME PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES

In order to assess the impact of various pollution sources on the microbiological water quality mainly used for irrigation of vegetable farms and its relation with some physic-chemical parameters which can influence the bacterial growth, a study was conducted in Nkolbisson shallows in the peri-urban area of Yaounde in Cameroon. Sampling, measures of physicochemical parameters, isolation and enumeration of bacteria were performed using standard methods. Generally, physico-chemical and biological properties vary across one season to another. No significant difference was observed. However, there are significant correlations between abiotic parameters and bacterial abundance. These shallow waters host some bacteria which witness fecal contamination. Plate Count Agar showed that the abundance of these bacteria is closely related to environmental factors such as pH, Total Suspended Solid, nitrogen, phosphorus, and the electrical conductivity. These waters are unfit for use in crops irrigation, cleaning of crop products, laundry, bathing and washing of dishes.