Camwater’s Challenges: Addressing Water Theft and Illegal Connections in Cameroon

Camwater has dismantled an illegal water network impacting Cameroon’s water supply. The company emphasizes the illegality of water theft and plans strict measures against offenders. Additionally, there has been a significant rise in water meter thefts, with over 10,000 reported cases, primarily impacting Douala and Yaoundé. Public awareness is essential to combat these issues and ensure fair access to potable water.

Camwater, the public utility responsible for potable water supply in Cameroon, has recently dismantled an extensive illegal water network that jeopardized the country’s water distribution. These unauthorized connections were significantly diminishing water pressure and impairing service quality, resulting in frequent supply interruptions for consumers.

In light of ongoing issues, Camwater has issued a public reminder that water theft is not only illegal but also detrimental to community welfare. The company has committed to implementing stringent measures against violators, who will face identification and prosecution in accordance with the law.

The crisis has been exacerbated by a notable increase in fraud and theft of water meters, with over 10,000 incidents reported in the last five years. Douala leads in reported meter thefts with nearly 3,000 incidents, followed by Yaoundé with over 2,600 thefts. The West region reported 2,110 cases, while the East region had the lowest incidence with only 40 thefts.

Statistics indicate dramatic growth in theft cases: Douala saw an increase from 310 thefts in 2018 to 927 in 2022, whereas Yaoundé’s numbers escalated from 44 to 1,316 during that same timeframe. Littoral, previously free of theft in 2018, now reports 80 cases of meter theft.

Camwater has identified that stolen meters are primarily targeted for their copper components, which has resulted in substantial water losses and increased costs for customers required to purchase replacement meters, thereby further stressing household finances.

The company has called for enhanced public awareness and cooperation to combat water theft and fraud, highlighting that such illicit activities undermine equitable access to safe drinking water.

In summary, the ongoing water crisis in Cameroon, characterized by illegal connections and rampant water meter theft, poses substantial challenges to safe water distribution. Camwater’s call for community cooperation and strict enforcement of legal measures underscores the urgent need for collective action to ensure equitable access to water resources. Addressing these issues is essential for maintaining service quality and reliability within the affected regions.

Original Source: www.cameroon-concord.com