Urban vs. Rural Water Access in Cameroon: Challenges & Solutions

Water is life, but in Cameroon, millions still wake up each day unsure of where their next clean drop will come from. This has been the reality for years. While urban areas slowly grow with new developments, many rural communities are left behind – struggling to access safe water for drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene.

The gap between water access in cities and villages keeps widening. Cities like Douala and Yaoundé have more organized water systems, but even those are far from perfect. In contrast, rural areas rely on natural sources that are often unsafe or unavailable, especially during dry seasons.

This isn’t just a health issue. It affects children’s education, women’s work hours, and the economy at large. To fix it, we need a mix of solid infrastructure, better policies, and local solutions. Let’s explore what this gap looks like, the challenges behind it, and how Cameroon can move toward fair access for all.

Cameroon Has Water, But Not Everyone Gets It

Cameroon is blessed with rivers, lakes, and groundwater. However, access to these resources varies significantly across different regions.

Major sources of water in Cameroon include:

• The Sanaga River: The country’s biggest river, which serves as a primary water supply for several cities.
• Lake Chad: A vital water source for the northern region, supporting agriculture and livelihoods. It helps feed the north, basically.
• Groundwater: Extracted through wells and boreholes, particularly in rural areas lacking surface water access. Many communities dig wells or boreholes to tap underground water.

Despite these abundant water sources, according to UNICEF, nearly 30% of the population doesn’t have access to safe drinking water. Most of these people live in rural areas, but the problem isn’t just about having water – it’s about reaching, treating, and keeping it flowing reliably.

Urban vs. Rural: A Clear Divide

Water in Cities: Better, But Not Great

Urban areas like Douala and Yaoundé rely on CAMWATER for public supply. But even here, problems persist:

• Shortages: Rapid population growth means demand outweighs supply. Some areas go days without running water.
• Old Pipes: Many pipelines are damaged, leaking water or allowing contamination.
• Informal Settlements: People living in slums or unregistered areas often don’t have direct water access. They buy from vendors or share with neighbors – often at higher costs.

Water in Rural Areas: The Daily Hustle

In rural areas, water often comes from rivers, streams, or hand-dug wells. Families walk for hours to fetch water – sometimes more than once a day. The key challenges include:

• Seasonal Dryness: Water sources dry up during dry seasons, leading to water scarcity.
• Unsafe Water: With a lack of proper sanitation and no treatment facilities, water is exposed to germs, waste, and chemicals. Some people go as far as disposing human waste at different water bodies. This challenge translates to exposure to waterborne diseases.
• Long Walks: Families, particularly women and children, must walk long distances to fetch water, consuming valuable time and energy. This makes it very stressful to continue with other daily activities: school, work, or even rest.

Studies show that rural women and children in Cameroon spend an average of 3 to 4 hours daily just fetching water. However, there are counter studies that say that information is incorrect. They claim that the average time is between 30 minutes to an hour and that it is also dependent on other factors, like how many times trips are taken and the family size. Whatever the case may be, a lot of time is lost because people have to walk distances to go collect water.

Why the Gap Exists

Several issues feed the gap between urban and rural water access:

1. Poor Infrastructure

Rural areas have little to no investment in water systems. Boreholes and wells, mostly set up by NGOs or government projects, often break down with no one to fix them. In cities, even when systems exist, they can’t keep up with growing demand.

2. Population Growth and Urban Pressure

More people are moving to cities in search of jobs and better living, putting pressure on water systems that were not built for such large numbers. As a result, informal settlements spring up, often without water pipelines.

3. Climate Change

Unpredictable rain, long droughts, and deforestation affect natural water sources. Rivers dry up, groundwater levels drop, and communities suffer as water becomes harder to find.

4. Money Matters

In many villages, people can’t afford to drill boreholes or buy purification systems. Even in cities, piped water is expensive for low-income families, especially if they need to buy from private vendors.

Solutions: How to Bridge the Gap

Fixing this water gap won’t happen overnight, but there are practical steps that can make a big difference.

1. Build and Repair Infrastructure

• Set up more boreholes, wells, and rainwater storage systems in villages.
• Fix old pipes in cities to reduce waste and contamination.
• Install small water treatment plants in key rural areas to make local water safe to drink.

2. Improve Water Management

• Create strong national and local policies to stop water waste and protect water sources.
• Involve local communities in water decisions and train them to manage local water points.
• Replant trees and protect forests to keep rivers and underground water levels stable.

3. Promote Safe Water and Sanitation

• Teach families simple water purification methods – like boiling or using filters.
• Build public toilets and sewage systems to stop waste from getting into water.
• Regularly test water sources to catch and fix problems early.

4. Get Everyone Involved: Government, NGOs, and Private Sector

• The government should invest more in rural water systems and enforce water safety laws.
• NGOs can support with funding, training, and community outreach.
• Private businesses can help by providing affordable water solutions, like low-cost filters or mobile water delivery.

5. Use Technology to Make Smarter Choices

• Use satellite data to track water levels and drought patterns.
• Install smart water meters to monitor usage and reduce waste.
• Create mobile payment options so families can pay for water in small, manageable amounts.

The Power of Digital Tools

Beyond water pipes and boreholes, digital tools can also help bridge urban-rural gaps in other ways:

1. Wider Internet Access

With better internet, rural communities can access learning, business, and health services. Affordable mobile data can help people find information on hygiene, farming, and water safety.

2. Online Learning

Digital classrooms can help rural children learn even when teachers or schools are far away. E-learning platforms can also train communities on safe water practices.

3. Health Services via Phone

Telemedicine apps and mobile health services can bring health advice to rural homes. With better health education, families can avoid water-related illnesses.

4. Easy Access to Government Services

E-governance tools can help rural dwellers report broken boreholes, apply for water aid, or access agricultural tips. Mobile banking can also help people save and pay for clean water easily.

Community-Led Initiatives and Success Stories

In Cameroon, several community-driven projects have successfully improved access to clean water, showing the power of local leadership and collaboration. For example, in the Northwest region, the Japan Water Forum supported a community project to improve spring water sources and set up water committees to manage and maintain them. These efforts not only enhanced water quality but also encouraged local ownership and long-term sustainability.

In the Far North, UNICEF has partnered with communities to build solar-powered water systems. These systems now serve schools and health centers, reducing the burden on families and improving sanitation in the area.

Such examples highlight how local participation, when combined with targeted support, can bring about lasting change in underserved areas.

Case Study: Water Access in Cameroon’s Far North Region

The Far North region of Cameroon faces some of the most severe water challenges in the country. Prolonged dry seasons, high temperatures, and climate shocks like floods and droughts have led to water scarcity. Many communities rely on seasonal rivers and open wells that often dry up or become contaminated.

In response, the Cameroonian government, along with NGOs like Plan International, has implemented solar-powered boreholes and trained local technicians to maintain them. Aqua Maya is a new NGO rising to the occasion, leaving no stone unturned to help ease the burden. These systems are helping to reduce the distance to water points and improve health outcomes in affected villages.

This case highlights how region-specific strategies, when backed by proper funding and community training, can make a real difference.

How Water Scarcity Affects Lives

Health Risks

People get sick from using unclean or unsafe water. Cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea are common. These diseases hit children and the elderly hardest and put pressure on health clinics.

Education Disruption

Children, especially girls, miss school to fetch water. Schools without running water or toilets also discourage attendance, especially for older girls.

Economic Impact

When women spend hours fetching water, there’s little time left for farming, trading, or learning new skills. Water shortages also slow down businesses, especially in agriculture and food processing.

Conclusion

Fixing water access in Cameroon is not only about digging more wells – it’s about fairness. Every child, whether in the city or village, deserves clean water. Every farmer, every mother, every student should be able to fetch water without walking for hours or risking their health.

The road to water equity will take time, teamwork, and long-term commitment. But it’s possible. With stronger infrastructure, better policies, new technologies, and local support, Cameroon can close the water gap and open doors to better health, learning, and growth for everyone.

Sources

1. https://www.unicef.org/cameroon/water-sanitation-and-hygiene-0

2. https://www.erudit.org/en/journals/cjrs/2024-v47-n1-cjrs09327/1111343ar.pdf

3. https://www.unicef.org/media/134651/file/Cameroon-Humanitarian-SitRep-No.4-1-Jan-31-Dec-2022.pdf

4. https://iwaponline.com/jwh/article/19/6/1030/85126/Examination-of-the-Cameroon-DHS-data-to

5. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959378023000754