EMPOWERWASH-AFRICA II Programme: Municipal Officials Visit the Emana-Batchenga Water Treatment Plant in Cameroon
As part of the mid-term evaluation workshop of the EMPOWERWASH-AFRICA II programme, held on 5–6 February 2026 in Yaoundé, participants (local authorities and municipal technical officials from five of the six countries participating in the project) visited the Emana-Batchenga water treatment plant, located approximately 60 kilometres north of Yaoundé. This practical session provided a valuable opportunity to confront the strategic reflections of the workshop with the operational realities on the ground.
During the visit, participants were able to observe the various stages of the drinking water production process, from raw water abstraction to treatment and distribution through the supply network. Discussions focused on technical requirements related to water quality, service continuity, facility maintenance, as well as the conditions necessary to ensure the sustainability of infrastructure. This immersion helped participants gain a clearer understanding of the concrete challenges faced by water service managers, particularly in terms of equipment management, resource mobilisation and local governance.
For the African Water and Sanitation Association, this field visit fully aligns with the objectives of the EMPOWERWASH-AFRICA II programme, which aims to strengthen the capacities of local governments and promote solutions adapted to rural African contexts. It also fostered direct exchanges between municipalities, enabling participants to draw lessons that can be transferred to their own territories.
The Emana-Batchenga water treatment plant is one of the major components of the water supply system serving Yaoundé and its surrounding areas. Designed to abstract water from the Sanaga River, treat it and redistribute it to populations, the facility plays a key role in improving access to safe drinking water. Equipped with modern coagulation, sedimentation and filtration units, the plant illustrates ongoing efforts of AMWATER to meet growing water demand and strengthen the resilience of water services in the face of demographic and climate pressures.
