TITLE:
Evaluation with Practical Prevention of Rainwater and Environmental Pollution in Agri-Food Industries: The Case of Cameroon Beverage Company
AUTHORS:
Joel Renaud Ngouanom Gnidakouong, Séverin Mbog Mbog, Ernestine Kemmoe Kountchie Nzadi, Marie Therese Seukou Njabo, Dieudonne Bitondo
KEYWORDS:
Assessment, Management, Stormwater, Agribusiness, Beverage
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.13 No.10,
October
27,
2025
ABSTRACT: This work aimed to evaluate the management of rainwater within the Cameroon beverage company. The compliance of the rainwater management policy within the factory with designated norms was first evaluated. Furthermore, the presence of pollutants in the surface water of the nearest river, which directly adjoins the plant, was assessed to identify areas at risk in the production plant. It was observed that all activities carried out in the workshops, such as handling, transferring products from one workshop to another, washing (bottles, bins, and tanks), and waste management, all contribute to polluting the rainwater. Results showed that solid wastes account for 39% of potential plant pollutants, followed by fermentable products and waste (29%), chemicals (21%), metals (6%), bacteria (5%), organic products (3%), oils and fats (3%). These pollutants degraded the water quality of the nearest river, as proven by several tests. The chemical demand for dissolved oxygen (COD) reached a maximum value of 860 mg/l at the grain distribution station. Suspended materials with a maximum value of 600 mg/l were measured at the pipe exit, which drains water coming from the wastewater treatment plant. A phosphate level of 100 mg/l was also obtained from the packaging unit during the rainy season. Overall, 50% of the plant’s areas are at critical risk for stormwater management, 37.5% are labeled as catastrophic risk areas, and 12.5% are areas of tolerable risk. An innovative, practical corrective action plan has been suggested and could be adopted in any similar agro-industry in the world.