An new approach for studying vulnerability to groundwater pollution using DRASTIC and AHP in the Biyeme upper stream watershed-Yaounde_Cameroon.

Abstract : A method based on a geographic information system and the DRASTIC model was used to study the vulnerability of groundwater in the upstream Biyémé catchment area. Located in the south-west of the city, our study covers areas of the city of Yaounde where the population suffers from a shortage of drinking water and mainly uses agriculture and livestock farming as a means of subsistence. This research aims to use methods based on continuous monitoring of average monthly data obtained from 52 wells and 05 springs over a period of 05 years, from 2017 to 2023. To assess the degree of vulnerability of groundwater to pollution in different areas of the catchment using each of the different methods and then compare them. In addition, a hierarchical analytical process was used to determine the assessment coefficients for each parameter. The main results obtained show that the best result was obtained using DRASTIC-AHP. Regardless of the method used, vulnerability was highest in the upstream part of the basin; underground water catchments in these areas therefore need to be protected from contamination before any siting takes place.