Environment & Ecosystem Science (EES)

Rapid urbanization and unregulated land use are intensifying water quality challenges in sub-Saharan African cities, yet local data to guide effective management remain scarce. This study assessed the spatiotemporal variability of drinking water quality in Limbe, Cameroon, by integrating hydrochemical analyses of the Limbe and Macocar rivers with community-based surveys. Water samples collected at upstream, midstream, and downstream during the dry and rainy seasons were analyzed for physicochemical and microbial parameters, while household surveys captured perceptions of health and socioeconomic impacts. Results revealed pronounced dry-season spikes in electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and coliform counts in the Macocar River, while the Limbe River exhibited persistent downstream increases in nutrient and microbial loads. Statistical analyses linked these trends to farming, waste disposal, and unplanned urban expansion. The weighted arithmetic Water Quality Index (WQI) classified several downstream sites as “poor” or “unfit” for drinking, particularly in the dry season. Community responses corroborated laboratory findings, reporting increased health risks, economic burdens, and reliance on untreated surface water among low-income households. These findings underscore the urgent need for context-specific, participatory watershed management strategies to safeguard water security and public health in rapidly urbanizing, resource-limited settings.