Camwater Tackles Illegal Water Connections and Meter Thefts in Cameroon
Camwater is addressing a significant water crisis in Cameroon due to illegal connections and rampant water meter thefts. The company reported over 10,000 stolen meters since 2022, leading to decreased water pressure and service quality. A call for public awareness and strict enforcement against theft is underway to combat the crisis.
Camwater, the public enterprise responsible for supplying potable water in Cameroon, has recently dismantled an extensive network of illegal connections that compromised the country’s water supply. These unauthorized connections diminished water pressure and degraded the quality of service, resulting in frequent disruptions for consumers.
The company has issued a reminder to the public that water theft is illegal and detrimental to the community at large. Camwater has pledged to implement stringent measures against violators, with offenders being identified and prosecuted under the law.
Additionally, Camwater has reported an alarming increase in instances of water meter theft. In 2022 alone, the company documented over 10,000 stolen water meters throughout the country over the past five years. Douala leads with nearly 3,000 stolen meters, while Yaoundé follows closely with over 2,600 cases. The West region has reported 2,110 stolen meters, and the East region has the lowest incidence, with only 40 cases.
Evidence of this sharp escalation in meter theft is substantial: in Douala, cases increased from 310 in 2018 to 927 by 2022. Yaoundé experienced thefts rising dramatically from 44 cases to 1,316 during the same period, while Littoral, which had no thefts in 2018, reported 80 cases by 2022.
The theft of meters primarily targets their copper components, leading to considerable water losses and increased expenses for consumers, who must replace stolen meters—placing additional strain on household finances.
To address this issue, Camwater officials have called for public awareness and collective action to combat water theft and fraud, highlighting that these activities undermine equitable access to potable water.
In summary, Camwater’s efforts to combat illegal connections and rising water meter theft reflect an urgent response to a growing water crisis in Cameroon. With significant increases in both illegal connections and theft incidents, the company is determined to enforce strict penalties against offenders while emphasizing the importance of public cooperation in ensuring equitable access to water.
Original Source: www.cameroon-concord.com
