Effects of Household Waste Disposal on Surface and Ground Waters in the Rapidly Urbanising Mamfe Town (South-West Region, Cameroon)

Huge waste generation by the rapidly growing Mamfe town is posing enormous environmental challenges. This work that aimed at examining implications of household on potable water sources, used mixed research design, combining descriptive and experimental approaches. Ground (Two wells, one borehole) surface (two streams) sources were sampled empirical data for physicochemical parameters (PH, EC, temperature, TDS, salinity) five samples measured in-situ using a multi-meter complemented questionnaires interviews information. Data obtained analysed One-way ANOVA chi-square tests. Except pH, values 11 12 physical chemical elements (Temperature, Ca32+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3-, Cl-, NO3 -) within permissible limits WHO drinking standard. Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed two clusters: EC TDS; temperature (?), Ca2+, NO3-, salinity. Spearman correlation minor as Temperature, TDS Cl- major K+ HCO3,reveals strong positive between HCO3- NO3-. Therefore, municipal authorities are entreated to implement sustainable management strategies.