Yaoundé improves gradually in ongoing water project

Since the commissioning of the water station at Mefou, households in some districts of the Cameroonian capital gradually received water from CRC.

A visit by Cameroonian journalists based in Yaoundé to the area enabled them verify for themselves the results of the actions taken by the Cameroonian waters (COE) to improve drinking water supply.

On Tuesday August 5, 2014, a team from the drinking water distributing company of Cameroon, led by Félix Zogo Manga, Director of Yaoundé agglomeration to the CRC, made a visit to not less than six quarters in the city. His objective was to take stock of the progress made since the commissioning of the station's water treatment at the Mefou in February.

He made his first stop at the pumping station of Messa, recently renovated, with 4 tanks and 7 pumps, and which currently sends water between 35,000 and 38,000 cubic meters per day through the pipes, about 75% of its rated capacity, waiting to reach 50,000 cubic metres per day as expected.

Some of the water treated at the station in Mefou passes through this place into households in the city. "This allows for improved services, even if the application is not yet fully satisfied," said Félix Zogo Manga.

As explained by Danielle Eloundou, head of quality at the CRC, rounds are carried out each week to check the effectiveness of the arrival of drinking water in households. And the results suggest that the people suffer less rationing.

At Cité-verte, for example, an inhabitant testifies that: "before, we had running water once a week, and for a few hours only. Now, it is at least three times a week."

In reality, these people mark their satisfaction because they feel a whole little bit privileged. Yaoundé has for some years experienced a real crisis of drinking water due to a deficit close to the 150,000 cubic meters per day.

The commissioning of the station of the Mefou will increase the supply capacity of the CRC to 150,000 cubic metres. Pending the construction of the station on the Sanaga River, which is expected to draw an average 300,000 cubic metres of water per day in order to put a definitive end to the calvaries of the people.