Water Crisis Hits Bonamoussadi - Africa

Author: Manyanye Ikome
Date Published: 2005-08-18

Over 28,000 inhabitants lack good quality water.

Amidst its numerous problems, Bonamoussadi, the Yaounde student residential area is presently undergoing serious water problems. The quarter head attributes it to the influx of fresh students into the neighbourhood.

Recent trends show that six wells which hitherto served inhabitants are not enough . This has led to the sale of water by a hand full of individuals at cut-throat prices. Students say they can not withstand the price hikes any longer, calling on the State to look into the situation.

According to the quarter head of Bonamoussadi, his Royal Highness Wonkam Michel, Bonamoussadi has never had pipeborne water before now. "My population has applied for public taps and street lights on several occasions to the Yaounde VI municipal council, but have never received a reply. Inhabitants have for the past years relied on well water for drinking and other use. As such, they suffer from water borne infections. "But I have no other option" said the quarter head.

Kweche Charles, a fifth year medical student living in Bonamoussadi says " about 5 per cent of those I consult in Bonamoussadi suffer from water related diseases like amoebiasis, skin eruptions, vulvovaginitis and vaginal candidisis. I do not have enough statistics to say if people die of those diseases. I can only advice inhabitants of Bonamoussadi to disinfect water fetched from wells with products like ditole and La Croix"

Another inhabitant of Bonamoussadi, Takem Maureen, a geography student says " when septic tanks leak, waste products flow and infiltrate into the soil, and later filter into the wells. The exposed wells also act as breeding ground for mosquitoes".

Miss Takem advised that land lords consult geologists before digging wells and septic tanks. "This will guide against locating wells near toilets and swampy areas. Above all, council authorities should forbid consumption of water from poorly constructed wells", she insinuated.

Kweche also noted that " though the morbidity of water infections is high ,it has a low mortality rate , because drugs against water related diseases are cheap and available"

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