Assessment of Drinking Water Catchments in Fako Division, South West Region, Cameroon

Abstract

Background: Without readily available water in sufficient quantity, and pathogen-free, man's progress is hindered. Globally, 2 billion people use sources of drinking water that are faecally contaminated and not appropriate for consumption. In Cameroon and specifically in fako division, due to acute piped drinking water shortage, the population uses alternative sources (springs and boreholes). Waterborne diseases are the second and third leading weekly epidemiological disease under surveillance in Fako. To find out some predisposing factors of waterborne diseases in Fako , and to meet up with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): 6.1, by 2030, we sort to start with an assessment of the drinking water catchments in Fako, as we found paucity of studies.
 Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to May 2018 using quantitative and qualitative approaches. An adapted WHO checklist was used for observations around catchment, then a risk assessment was done with a semi quantitative approach. Qualitative data was collected through Focus Group Discussions and In-depth interviews.
 Results: Of the 15 water catchments assessed, none of them met all WHO recommendations. We found that 60% have anthropogenic activities at less than 100meters from the catchments with progressive reduction in water volume and risk of contamination. Meanwhile 20% were open springs and consumers fetch water with feet and container deepen in source, while 13.3% were surface water. There was no integrated catchment management with stakeholders in Fako Division.
 Conclusion: None of the catchments met WHO recommendations. An integrated drinking water management team and a periodic monitoring of these catchments is imperative.

Critical Challenges, Implications and Sustainable Options of Potable Water Management in Mutengene, South West Region, Cameroon

“…Increasing health problems in Cameroon like that of cholera outbreak taking away many lives currently in the city of Douala, the towns of Buea, Limbe and Mutengene indicates government weaknesses in managing potable water resources. Without readily available water in sufficient quantity, and free of disease-causing agents, man's progress is hindered [1]. Also, there is frequent water shortage in Mutengene coupled with the critical challenges of potable supply in town; the Cameroon government together with the local community of Mutengene urgently needs to set up a good management team that would be responsible in creating and managing large water catchments that can sustain the increasing population of the subdivision.…”