Consequences of hygiene and sanitation limitations on physicochemical, bacteriological and parasitological quality of water for vegetable irrigation purpose in the Mbouda lowlands, Cameroon western highlands

The aim of this study was to determine the health risk associated with vegetable irrigation using lowland water in the town of Mbouda. Watered vegetables and water from five yards and three wells used by market gardeners were analysed in the dry season using standardized methods. Bacterial levels ranging from 6.37 ± 0.71 to 9.03 ± 0.43 Log CFU/100 g/DM (dry matter) were detected in the various vegetables produced in the lowlands of Mbouda: Escherichia coli (4.10–5.03 Log CFU/100 mL), faecal coliforms (5.28–5.99 Log CFU/100 mL), Shigella spp. (4.86–6.25 Log CFU/100 mL) and Salmonella spp. (3.85–5.21 Log CFU/100 mL) in irrigation water; Ascaris spp. eggs, Entamoeba spp. cysts, Ancylostoma spp. eggs and nematode larvae were detected at levels above the standard recommended by the World Health Organization. This sets 3 Log CFU/100 mL of these bacteria in water, 1–2 Log CFU/25 g/DM on vegetables, but 3 Log CFU/25 g/DM for faecal coliforms as acceptable limits and zero for any parasitic stage (eggs, cysts, and larvae). This constitutes a real health risk for consumers. The town's virtually nonexistent sewage system could be at the root of this water pollution.