Increasing Challenges of Potable Water Supply and Its Implications on the Population of Buea Municipality, Cameroon

The increasing challenges of potable water supply on the population of Buea municipality, Camerooon, if not monitored and effectively managed by government and all the local communities (stake holders) will be very detrimental to the municipality. The water demand of the growing population of Municipality is supplied by CAMWATER (Cameroon Water Utilities Corporation) and the local communities involved in potable water management. This study employed the use of a purposive systematic random sampling technique and focus group discussion among the community dwellers to evaluate the implications of potable water scarcity. A total of 350 questionnaires were administered in the field, interviews were conducted with water supply authorities and various stake holders in the municipality to identify the major problems faced by the inhabitants of Buea as a result of potable water supply challenges. Results revealed that about 27% of the population of Buea faces frequent water shortages, 32% and 41% of the respondents stated that the main causes of water supply challenges are poor management of potable water by the authorities concerned and over exploitation of water sources by the increasing population respectively. Besides the human factors mentioned above, changing climatic conditions worsen these challenges. In conclusion, over exploitation of potable water sources by the population and poor management by the authorities concerned stands as a major driver of the challenges of water scarcity in the Buea municipality. As such, we recommend an integrated water management approach as a means of making potable water supply challenges less problematic to the population of Buea.

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Persistent Challenges of Potable Water Supply, Implications and Mitigation Strategies in Limbe, Cameroon

Journal of Geography Environment and Earth Science International ◽

10.9734/jgeesi/2021/v25i530285 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 21-29

Author(s):

Emmanuel Nong Buh ◽

Amos Fang Zeh ◽

Ukah Bonaventure Ngong

Keyword(s):

Water Management ◽

Water Supply ◽

Potable Water ◽

Anthropogenic Activities ◽

Mitigation Strategies ◽

Water Volume ◽

Qualitative Approaches ◽

Potable Water Supply ◽

Poor Management ◽

Water Catchments

Persistent challenges of potable water supply and its implications hinder man’s progress in Limbe municipality. The growing population of Limbe Municipality faces increasing challenges of potable water supply with lots of implications. And the Cameroon Water Utilities Corporation (CAMWATER) with the local communities involved in potable water management is unable to meet up with this increasing demand. This has led to the challenges of potable water supply in Limbe municipality which is very frustrating to water consumers. This present study sought to examine the challenges of potable water supply and its implications in Limbe. A combination of research methods (desk review, interviews and reconnaissance field appraisal) have been used in this study. Our findings revealed that increasing population and poor management of potable water supply were the major problems. In the methods utilized, a community based cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to December 2020 using quantitative and qualitative approaches. Wealth Health Organization checklist was used for observation around catchments, then the assessment of water supply challenges was done with a semi quantitative approach. And 200 questionnaires were administered where qualitative data was collected through Focus Group Discussions and in-depth interviews. The results obtained from the 7 water catchments assessed indicated that 50% of the water supply challenges were as a result of the increasing population in Limbe municipality. Meanwhile 30% stated that poor management of potable water supply by the authorities concern is another reason of persistent challenges of potable water supply in Limbe. While 20% were of the opinion that the challenges of potable water supply is as a result of anthropogenic activities near water catchments leading to a progressive reduction in water volume. An integrated potable water management team is needed and a periodic monitoring of these catchment in order to reduce this persistent challenges.

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THE RELIABILITY STUDY OF RAW WATER SOURCES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF POTABLE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS IN INDONESIA

International Journal of Geomate ◽

10.21660/2019.54.75034 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (54) ◽

Author(s):

Eva Afifah

Keyword(s):

Water Supply ◽

Potable Water ◽

Water Sources ◽

Water Supply Systems ◽

Raw Water ◽

Reliability Study ◽

Potable Water Supply ◽

Supply Systems

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Potable Water Scarcity and Options for Effective Provision in Limbe Municipality, Southwest Region, Cameroon

Journal of Geography Environment and Earth Science International ◽

10.9734/jgeesi/2021/v25i630290 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 12-21

Author(s):

Emmanuel Nong Buh ◽

Roy Lyonga Mbua ◽

Ukah Bonaventure Ngong

Keyword(s):

Water Management ◽

Water Scarcity ◽

Potable Water ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Water Safety ◽

Potable Water Supply ◽

Southwest Region ◽

Joint Monitoring ◽

Large Water ◽

Multi Stakeholder

Continuous potable water scarcities in Limbe municipality if not well manage and ensure a regular provision of it may lead to many disastrous consequences to the massive growing population of this municipality. Lack of safe drinking water is a severe crisis in Limbe and Cameroon due to poor management strategies employed by the water management bodies involved. The study investigated the implications of water scarcity in Limbe municipality and the options for effective provision of potable water. A questionnaire survey was carried out. About 300 questionnaires were administered in three localities of Limbe to investigate the present status of water scarcity and its impacts on the local communities. The results show an increasing rate of potable water scarcity in the municipality. About 51% of the respondents indicated that inadequate storage facilities are the main caused of water scarcity in the town. In contrast, 26% and 23% of the respondents indicated that inadequate technology and low level of education are other reasons contributing to potable water scarcity in Limbe municipality. Many people in the municipality depend on untreated water sources, resulting in the contraction of many diseases like dysentery and diarrhea as prime waterborne health risks. We suggest options like installing large water safety tanks in all the localities of Limbe municipality. Furthermore, implementing a joint monitoring team to ensure that effective potable water treatment and supply is being done and the bodies involved in water management like the Cameroon Water Utilities Corporation (CAMWATER) need to initiate a platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue, networking and social learning essentially for building trust on how to manage potable water supply in the municipality better.

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