Author(s): Chinche Sylvie Belengfe; Tuekam Kayo Raoul Polycarpe; Zebaze Togouet Serge Hubert
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Abstract: Groundwater is water that flows beneath the earth’s surface, filling the porous spaces in soil, sediments and rocks. It is the source of water for aquifers, springs and wells. It is the main source of drinking water reservoir on earth, but also a major ecosystem in terms of biological diversity. Maintaining groundwater quality and conserving its biodiversity are converging goals towards ensuring healthy wellbeing for the population. Groundwater ecosystems contain many endemic species adapted to live in an environment with no light and limited resources (Lou and Bloomfield, 2012). Rapid population increase, unplanned urbanization and intensive industrial activities have led to poor and unsustainable management of groundwater resources, leading to water scarcity. The supply of potable water remains a problem in Cameroon due to the unequal distribution of this resource on the earth’s surface, fast and anarchistic urbanization, various pollutions that denature the quality of the continental hydro systems and the high poverty level of Cameroon. The population cannot access potable pipe borne water and therefore, many households depend entirely on groundwater for their water supply (Zebaze Togouet et al., 2009). In Cameroon and especially in rural areas, water quality is a call for concern due to higher poverty levels and large disregard towards the environment. Consequences of inadequate supply of water and sanitation are very evident especially with the outbreak of diseases and illnesses related to water quality (Gorham et al., 2017). The main objective of this work was to determine the water quality of some wells in the town of Tiko by measuring the physicochemical parameters. It was also intended to identify potential biodiversity indicators of groundwater quality and to reinforce public awareness of the necessity to conserve the quality and quantity of groundwater and its biodiversity by emphasising on its economic, social, and scientific value together with its detriment on the health of the population when its quality is bad or not suitable for consumption.
Year: 2022