Locals Already Making Use of the Water.
The Bamenda III Council has recorded a major breakthrough in its quest to provide reliable and sustainable access to clean drinking water following the completion of the 2026 upgrading and optimization of its municipal water scheme.
Fongu Cletus Tanwe, Mayor of Bamenda III Council.The project, led by Mayor Fongu Cletus Tanwe, was officially reviewed and completed after a field visit on Friday January 23, 2026, to some key project sites including the Bamenda III Council premises, the GTTC Nkwen axis, and Ntaghem.
Authorities say the intervention has significantly improved water circulation, storage, and distribution across the municipality. According to Mayor Fongu Cletus, the optimization addressed technical inefficiencies that had limited water flow despite the availability of sufficient raw water.
“Before the 2026 optimization, we discovered that our main challenge was not water scarcity but poor circulation,” the mayor said. “With the interconnection of reservoirs and pumping stations, water is now available within the network at all times.”
Bamenda II Council Water Purification Centre.He noted that residents who previously had access to water will now enjoy an uninterrupted supply, while communities that had never benefited from the scheme are beginning to receive water. He reiterated that the council now has the capacity to produce up to one million litres of clean water daily, creating room for extension to additional quarters within Bamenda III.
German–Council Partnership Strengthens Infrastructure
The success of the water scheme is rooted in a long-standing partnership with German engineers and development partners. Karl Heinz Heinisch, a water supply engineer from Germany and Second Chairman of the NGO Trinkwasser für Kamerun (Drinking Water for Cameroon), traced the project’s origins to 2012 when feasibility studies were carried out in Nkwen.
Mayor Fongu and Lead German Engineer at Control Station at Bamenda III Council Presmises.Working closely with municipal authorities, a permanent water catchment was identified at the Menteh waterfall in the Mile 4 neighbourhood, a source that provides water throughout the year. A treatment plant was constructed and later inaugurated in 2016 by the Governor of the North West Region and the German Ambassador.
Over time, an increasing population and demand exposed limitations in the original infrastructure. Heinisch explained that the dam constructed in 2016 gradually lost capacity due to sediment buildup, prompting the construction of a larger and more efficient dam in April 2025.
“The new dam is much higher and wider, with modern flushing and overflow systems to control sand, stones, and debris,” he said. “This ensures a stable flow of water to the filtration centre, even during the dry season.”
Cross Section of the Outskirt of the Dam at Menteh.Pumping Stations, Solar Power, and Expanded Reach
A key component of the 2026 optimization was the installation of three new pumping stations, strategically positioned to supply reservoirs located at higher elevations such as GTTC Nkwen, Full Gospel, and Ntambessi. This approach allows water to flow from multiple directions, reducing pressure loss and improving supply to distant and hilly neighbourhoods.
To counter frequent power outages, especially during the rainy season, the pumping stations are supported by solar-powered systems with lithium batteries, ensuring uninterrupted operation. Automated control mechanisms regulate water flow based on reservoir levels and consumption patterns.
Growing Storage Capacity and Local Expertise
Chief of Service for the Water Department at Bamenda III Council, Azehfor Eric, highlighted the steady growth in storage capacity over the years. From an initial 60,000-litre reservoir in 2015, the system expanded to 200,000 litres in 2019 and 400,000 litres in 2024.
Additional reservoirs, including previously abandoned ones, have now been reactivated.
“With the new pumps, we can now fill reservoirs at high points, ensuring better distribution,” he said, adding that local technicians are fully trained to manage and maintain the system, though some spare parts still need to be imported from Germany.
Muma Azehfor, General Coordinator, Nkwen Water Supply Scheme.Community Commends Initiative
Traditional authorities and community leaders have welcomed the project. Moma Azehfor, Second Adviser to the Fon of Nkwen and General Coordinator of the Nkwen Water Supply Scheme, praised the council’s commitment to addressing water challenges amid climate pressures. “This water system has brought relief to the people and strengthened existing community efforts,” he said, urging residents to support sustainability measures and protect the infrastructure.
Future Outlook
Looking ahead, Mayor Fongu Cletus Tanwe announced plans for a second phase of optimization in 2027, which will focus on upgrading pipelines and installing a digital monitoring system capable of detecting leakages in real time to speed up maintenance. He also called on residents to take civic responsibility seriously, stressing that long-term stability is essential for sustaining development projects.
With the project now at 100 percent completion, the Bamenda III Council Water Scheme stands as a testament to effective leadership, international cooperation, and community-centred development, reinforcing the municipality’s guiding principle: “Clean water, long life.”
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