by Ebeh Claude Eugène¹˒²*, Bidja Abena Marie Thérèse², Eyamo Evina Victor Jos¹˒³, Ntsobe Ebella Andrée Marie Ange⁴, Amfouo Fouojo Christian⁵, Tankeu Noundou Armel Narcisse⁶, Eto Tertullien Darlhin⁶˒⁷, Liheb Ben Armand⁷, Adamou⁸, Nana Paulin¹˒⁹
1 Agro-Environmental Analysis Laboratory, Doctoral Training Unit in Material Sciences, Agro-Environment and Processes, Graduate School, University of Ebolowa, Ebolowa, Cameroon.
2 Department of Tourism and Hospitality, Higher Teachers’ Training College for Technical Education, University of Ebolowa, Ebolowa, Cameroon.
3 Department of Agriculture, Higher Teachers’ Training College for Technical Education, University of Ebolowa, P.O. Box 886, Ebolowa, Cameroon.
4 La Grâce Private School, Ebolowa, Cameroon.
5 Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ebolowa, Ebolowa, Cameroon.
6 School of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Central Africa, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
7 Regional Hospital of Ebolowa, Ministry of Public Health, Ebolowa, Cameroon.
8 Yaoundé Nsimalen Border Health Post, Ministry of Public Health, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
9 Department of Agriculture, Higher Teachers’ Training College for Technical Education, University of Ebolowa, Ebolowa, Cameroon.
*Corresponding author: [email protected] / [email protected]
Received: 25.02.2026 Accepted: 20.05.2026 Published online: 14.07.2026
Rapid urbanization in Ebolowa (South Cameroon) has increased dependence on public and community boreholes for drinking water, yet their microbiological safety remains poorly documented. This study evaluated the bacteriological and physicochemical quality of water from four highly used boreholes in Ngalane, New Bell, Nko’ovos, and Ebolowa Si I. Boreholes were georeferenced using GPS and mapped with QGIS 3.34.1. Water samples were analyzed for total coliforms (TC) and Escherichia coli, while temperature, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), and electrical conductivity were measured in situ. Differences among sites were assessed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s test, and Spearman’s correlation evaluated relationships between physicochemical parameters and bacterial loads. Ngalane showed the highest contamination, with E. coli and TC levels of 7,000 ± 1,000 and 35,666.67 ± 1,527.53 CFU/100 mL, respectively. New Bell showed moderate contamination, whereas Nko’ovos and Ebolowa Si I had no detectable E. coli and low TC levels. Significant spatial differences were observed (p < 0.05), with site-specific associations between physicochemical parameters and TC concentrations. These results reveal marked variability in groundwater quality and highlight the need for regular microbiological monitoring, borehole disinfection, and improved sanitation to protect public health.
