Physico-chemical Characterization and Zero Valent Iron Treatment of Borehole Water of Maroua-Cameroon

Abstract

The quality of borehole water of Maroua was evaluated using physico-chemical properties and treated using Fe/sand mixture of different composition and 100% sand in the reactive zone column filtration. While the pH, iron and chloride amounts were generally within WHO standards other measured parameters were generally above these standards. The Fe/sand system improves pH and entirely removes colour than 100% sand system. It also more performant for hardness removal in three days than 100% sand but the latter is more efficient over a longer period. There is a reduction in the flow rate of the Fe/sand mixture. The borehole water of Maroua I council area is not very potable and can be rendered more potable by using a cheap and simple filtration system based on sand and Fe.