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

Abstract

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.