(Business in Cameroon) - According to figures from the Cameroon Water Authority (CAMWATER), the city has a demand-supply gap of about 200,000 cubic metres a day. Supply from the main sources at the Akomnyada treatment station stands at 100,000 cubic metres per day as of now. According to a report published in Cameroon Tribune, figures show the demand has already hit 300,000 cubic metres a day.

However, authorities say that the Mefou water treatment station expected to be completed in August of this year could cut the shortage. “This station will inject an additional 50,000 cubic metres of water a day. The impact will surely not be felt as much as one would have expected because the shortage will still remain at about 250,000 cubic metres a day other things being equal,” wrote Cameroon Tribune quoting sources at CAMWATER.

It is also hoped that if the capacity of the Akomyada station is reinforced, 40,000 cubic meters more of water could be pumped into pipes. Experts say that the demand for water is rising in Yaoundé as the population swells. According to official figures, the city counts 2 million inhabitants.  To deal with the crisis some inhabitants have turned to well water, sometimes of doubtful quality.

Jude Viban