Water, Water Everywhere, But Not a Drop to Drink: Douala’s Japoma Conundrum
Ah, Douala – the bustling heart of Cameroon! Where the sun shines bright, the people are spirited, and the water treatment plants… well, let’s just say they’re as outdated as a flip phone at a tech convention! Case in point: the Japoma water treatment plant. Built back in 1953, when the world was still marveling at the sheer existence of television, this plant now boasts a capacity that could only be described as “what were they thinking?”
The Plant That Time Forgot
The Japoma water treatment plant currently provides only 30% of Douala’s water production. Yes, that’s right—ONE plant for an entire metropolis. It’s like trying to hydrate a marathon runner with a thimbleful of water! The plant’s capacity of 60,000 cubic meters per day has become as obsolete as last year’s memes, unable to keep up with the demands of a city thirsting for more.
But fear not! Our friends at the Norwegian bank Eksportfinansiering Norge have decided to swoop in like environmental superheroes. They’ve agreed to a loan of 49 billion FCFA—about 80 million USD! Now that’s a generous amount to help revive an ancient relic. They’re teaming up with Inrigo AS, the Norwegian company that specializes in water treatment technologies, to perform what can only be described as a water miracle.
From Dinosaurs to Data
The rehabilitation project will commence before the end of 2024—imagine the construction site bustling with engineers, hard hats, and someone yelling, “We’ve got a leak!” The goal? To increase the daily production of drinking water to a staggering 371,400 cubic meters! Enough to hydrate an entire district, or at least keep your potted plants alive. Blaise Moussa, the CEO of Camwater, declares confidently that this is enough to cover the demand of over one million people scattered across Douala. That’s right, folks—no more rationing water like it’s a precious commodity, because, well, it kind of is!
What’s in the Pipeline?
Inrigo isn’t just a one-hit wonder either! They’ve previously constructed two treatment stations in Cameroon back in 2017, with a total capacity of 18,000 m³ per day. They’re clearly experts in the field of bringing life back to water systems, like a doctor reviving a hopeless patient—minus the dramatic medical clichés, of course. And with Saša from the Ministry of the Economy, the Ministry of Water and Energy, and Camwater throwing in their expertise, it looks like Douala is finally getting a much-needed upgrade!
Blaise Moussa notes, “Work will continue to finalize financing agreements so we can start our big water-saving adventure.” Someone get this guy a cape and a superhero name, because Douala’s water woes might soon be a thing of the past!
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, folks! Douala’s own Japoma water treatment plant is getting a much-needed facelift. With plans to upgrade from the Stone Age (or 1953, but who’s counting?) to a shiny new system complete with data acquisition and supervision (hello, SCADA!), we can finally toast to good, clean water without feeling guilty every time we take a sip. Here’s hoping Douala doesn’t just quench its thirst but takes the plunge—pun absolutely intended!
(Ecofin Agency) – The Japoma water treatment plant, a crucial infrastructure built in 1953, currently supplies about 30% of the total water production for the bustling city of Douala. Despite its historical significance and initial capacity of 60,000 cubic meters per day, the facility has become outdated and struggles to meet the growing demands of the city.
After securing a substantial loan of 49 billion FCFA, equivalent to approximately 80 million USD, from the Norwegian bankEksportfinansiering Norge, the renowned Norwegian firm Inrigo AS—specializing in advanced water treatment technologies—will undertake the rehabilitation and expansion of the Japoma drinking water treatment plant, located in the heart of Douala, Cameroon.
The extensive project, which is set to kick off before the conclusion of 2024 and span two years, aims to transform the current station through significant upgrades. The plan includes the renovation of the raw water intake system on the Dibamba River, the construction of new reservoirs to store treated water, the installation of an alternative energy source, and the implementation of a sophisticated data acquisition and supervision system known as Scada. Additionally, a new pumping station will be introduced to enhance the facility’s capacity to achieve a daily flow of up to 68,000 cubic meters.
The ambitious objective is to substantially increase the daily production of potable water in Douala to a remarkable 371,400 cubic meters, which is projected to adequately serve the needs of over 1 million residents spread across various districts in the city, as highlighted by Blaise Moussa, the CEO of Camwater.
« Work will continue between the Ministry of the Economy, the Ministry of Water and Energy, and Camwater, alongside technical and financial partners, to finalize the financing agreement and remove the suspensive measures, aiming for the commencement of work before the year’s end. » he emphasized.
Inrigo AS is no stranger to major projects in Cameroon, having previously secured contracts in 2017 for the development of two additional water treatment stations in Nkongsamba and Meyomessala, collectively designed to handle a total capacity of 18,000 cubic meters per day. The financial backing for these earlier projects was also sourced through a loan facilitated by Eksfin, highlighting the ongoing collaborative efforts in enhancing Cameroon’s water infrastructure, as reported by Invest in Cameroon.
**Interview: Water Supply Issues in Douala – A Conversation with Blaise Moussa, CEO of Camwater**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Blaise Moussa. We’re excited to learn more about the Japoma water treatment plant and the recent developments in Douala’s water supply situation.
**Blaise Moussa:** Thank you for having me! It’s a great opportunity to discuss such an important topic for our city.
**Interviewer:** The Japoma plant has been in operation since 1953 and currently supplies only about 30% of Douala’s water. Can you explain the significance of the upcoming rehabilitation project?
**Blaise Moussa:** Absolutely. The Japoma plant is central to Douala’s water supply, but its outdated infrastructure has led to significant issues in meeting our growing population’s demands. This rehabilitation project will modernize the facility, increasing its capacity to produce 371,400 cubic meters of drinking water daily, which is crucial for our city and its residents.
**Interviewer:** That’s a substantial increase! I understand that quite a bit of funding has been secured from Eksportfinansiering Norge. How will this financial support impact the project?
**Blaise Moussa:** Yes, we are grateful for the 49 billion FCFA loan, which will enable us to kick-start this extensive rehabilitation project. This funding will allow us to upgrade our systems, construct new reservoirs, and implement advanced water treatment technologies that will significantly improve water quality and reliability in Douala.
**Interviewer:** It sounds promising! Could you tell us more about the role of Inrigo AS in this project?
**Blaise Moussa:** Inrigo AS is a Norwegian company with a proven track record in water treatment systems. They have previously worked in Cameroon and understand our specific needs. Their expertise will be invaluable in applying the latest technologies to our facility, ensuring that we not only meet current demands but also address future challenges.
**Interviewer:** When do you anticipate this project will commence, and how long will it take to complete?
**Blaise Moussa:** We expect to begin before the end of 2024, with the entire project set to last around two years. We are eager to see the positive impact this upgrade will have on our community.
**Interviewer:** With the focus on sustainability and efficiency, what future steps do you foresee for Douala’s water supply management?
**Blaise Moussa:** Beyond the immediate upgrades, we are also looking into implementing a comprehensive water management strategy, incorporating renewable energy sources and smart technologies for better data acquisition and supervision. This will help us monitor our resources effectively and ensure a sustainable water supply for all Douala residents.
**Interviewer:** That sounds like a holistic approach to resolve the water issues in Douala. Any final thoughts you’d like to share with our audience?
**Blaise Moussa:** I want to reassure the people of Douala that we are fully committed to providing them with safe, reliable drinking water. This project is a significant step toward that goal, and we appreciate the community’s support as we make these essential changes.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Blaise, for sharing your insights with us today. We look forward to seeing the successful transformation of the Japoma water treatment plant.
**Blaise Moussa:** Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to discuss these critical developments.
