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<p>Springs serve as essential water sources for drinking and small-scale agriculture for most rural residents in the Haut Plateau division. Unfortunately, human activities are increasingly compromising these springwater quality throughout the division. This research seeks to assess springwater quality in the Haut Plateau Division and determine whether these water sources remain suitable for consumption and agricultural irrigation practices using physicochemical parameters, water quality index, irrigation indices and irrigation water quality index. A total of 37 springwater samples were collected from the study area in March 2022 and analysed to determine their hydrochemical characteristics and to evaluate the hydrochemical evolution processes of springwater in the area. The findings revealed that pH levels in 70.3% of the springwater samples were slightly acidic (ranging from 4.2 to 7.7), while NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> concentrations exceeded standard recommended limits in 16.22% of the samples collected. However, water quality index classification indicated that 79.4% of samples were rated as excellent, while 20.6% as good for drinking purposes. Hydrochemical facies showed the mixed Ca–Mg–Cl as the predominant water type, thus revealing rock–water interaction and reverse ion exchange as dominant processes controlling the springwater quality. Regarding spring water quality for irrigation, several indices were evaluated, including sodium adsorption ratio, sodium percentage, Kelly’s ratio, residual sodium carbonate, magnesium adsorption ratio, permeability index and corrosivity ratio. Results showed that 5.7%, 91.1%, 89.2%, and 45.9% were unsuitable based on Kelly’s ratio, magnesium adsorption ratio, Corrosivity ratio, and permeability index. However, the irrigation water quality index revealed that 86.5% of the springwater samples in the study area were good for irrigation use. To improve water quality in problem areas, two solutions are suggested: using limestone filters to fix low pH and installing biological systems to reduce high nitrate levels.</p>

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Assessment of springwater quality for drinking and irrigation in Haut Plateaux Division, West Region of Cameroon

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月23日

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  • R. S. Mbinkong,
  • F. Nzouemou,
  • C. T. Tabod,
  • N. E. Ndoh,
  • A. M. Mufur,
  • S. H. P. Kengni,
  • T. D. N. Gaetan

摘要

Springs serve as essential water sources for drinking and small-scale agriculture for most rural residents in the Haut Plateau division. Unfortunately, human activities are increasingly compromising these springwater quality throughout the division. This research seeks to assess springwater quality in the Haut Plateau Division and determine whether these water sources remain suitable for consumption and agricultural irrigation practices using physicochemical parameters, water quality index, irrigation indices and irrigation water quality index. A total of 37 springwater samples were collected from the study area in March 2022 and analysed to determine their hydrochemical characteristics and to evaluate the hydrochemical evolution processes of springwater in the area. The findings revealed that pH levels in 70.3% of the springwater samples were slightly acidic (ranging from 4.2 to 7.7), while NO3− concentrations exceeded standard recommended limits in 16.22% of the samples collected. However, water quality index classification indicated that 79.4% of samples were rated as excellent, while 20.6% as good for drinking purposes. Hydrochemical facies showed the mixed Ca–Mg–Cl as the predominant water type, thus revealing rock–water interaction and reverse ion exchange as dominant processes controlling the springwater quality. Regarding spring water quality for irrigation, several indices were evaluated, including sodium adsorption ratio, sodium percentage, Kelly’s ratio, residual sodium carbonate, magnesium adsorption ratio, permeability index and corrosivity ratio. Results showed that 5.7%, 91.1%, 89.2%, and 45.9% were unsuitable based on Kelly’s ratio, magnesium adsorption ratio, Corrosivity ratio, and permeability index. However, the irrigation water quality index revealed that 86.5% of the springwater samples in the study area were good for irrigation use. To improve water quality in problem areas, two solutions are suggested: using limestone filters to fix low pH and installing biological systems to reduce high nitrate levels.