Drinking water supply and sanitation in Makénéné, Cameroon

Access to drinking water and sanitation is a daily struggle for the 20,000 or so urban dwellers in the rural agricultural and commercial commune of Makénéné. Most households in this commune rely on traditional methods for their water supply, self-sanitation and excreta disposal. Despite the fact that the right to water has been recognised internationally as a human right, the vast majority of the population lacks access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation, which poses significant threats to their lives and health. Currently, the water consumed is drawn from shallow, open wells, which do not guarantee the quality of the water. Thus, 80% of the diseases observed in the health clinics of Makénéné are almost certainly caused by the consumption of undrinkable water (diarrhoea, amoebiasis, bilharzia, etc.). Our visit to the area also enabled us to observe a lack of sanitation infrastructure.

The drinking water supply project in the commune of Makénéné is supported by TPSF, the Vichy Val d'Allier urban community, the Makénéné town hall and the local association Dypamak. The aim of the project is to supply a little over 22,500 inhabitants with drinking water through infrastructure works. In addition, it was designed to encourage citizen participation in the management of these infrastructures. This project is divided into four phases and consists of the rehabilitation of an existing well that has fallen into disuse, the construction of two additional wells, the installation of 49 standpipes near homes, as well as latrines in various strategic locations, notably schools. At the same time, awareness-raising work on hygiene practices and technical training will be provided to enable a transfer of skills and total autonomy for the populations in the long term. This entire project will be supported by the creation of competent citizen organisations to manage the public water service created.