Assessment of filtration capacity of different filters used in the West Region of Cameroon for quality improvement of drinking water

The present study aimed to evaluate the water purifying capacity of three filters (local ceramic filter, imported ceramic filter and bio-sand filter) to promote the production of local filters in order to resolve not only economical but, above all, health problems. Findings from the study showed that the filtration rate of bio-sand filters (25.5 ± 2.3 l/h) was significantly higher than those of imported (1.12 ± 0.3 l/h) and local (1.23 ± 0.2 l/h) ceramic filters l/h). The results of laboratory analyses showed that ceramic filters, whether imported or locally produced, were highly effective in retaining bacteria such as total coliforms, fecal coliforms, fecal streptococci, E. coli, Shigella sp, and Salmonella sp, with retention rates between 99 and 100%. As for bio-sand filters, their capacity to retain bacteria was considerable but not consistent with guaranteeing safe water quality as defined by WHO. The three categories of filters were also effective in improving the physicochemical parameters (pH, Turbidity, Electrical Conductivity, TDS, Iron, Chlorine, Ammonia, and Aluminum) of water, to a standard accepted by WHO. However, imported ceramic filters and bio-sand filters were found to be more effective than local ceramic filters in improving certain chemical parameters. Promoting the production and effective use of locally manufactured filters could therefore constitute a logical alternative, that may contribute to solving several socio-economic, health, and environmental problems in Cameroon.