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.