Clean Water for Bertoua

DHV Group
4.1.2 Interviews and meetings
A number of meetings, visits and introductions were held:
– informal meetings with the Chairman and members of RC Bertoua’s Water Committee;
– meetings with Mutcare and GIC/Rasaad;
– workshop with Mutcare and users of water points;
– meeting with the Mayor of Bertoua;
– introduction to the Water Administration for East Province;
– various discussions with Mr. Medou, the Engineer notably for Phase 1;
– visit to the water supply company of Bertoua.
4.2 Location with respect to latrines and solid waste dumping places
The location of latrines or solid waste dumping places appears not to be considered in locating the water
points at all. Also otherwise, the selection of sites appears to be based on force of habit rather than
technical of geohydrological surveys. Protected springs appear to be more vulnerable to contamination by
such places than dug wells, as the water is collected at very shallow depths. This aspect should be taken
into account more seriously when weighing the pros and cons of spring tappings versus wells with
handpumps.
Waste dump in immediate surroundings
of well site
4.3 Appropriateness of design
The method of construction of the water points during phases 4 and 5 mostly resembles a Design &
Construct approach, however without proper checks on the design, with a lack of design drawings and
tender documents, bills of quantities, etc., and without proper supervision. Even though the results appear
to be reasonable, the vast knowledge and expertise of an engineer like Mr. Medou is hardly used.
Currently used designs are of a sketchy nature at best.
4.4 Maintenance period
The contract for the construction of water points as used for the earlier phases envisages a maintenance
period of half a year. The contract document stipulates that 5% of the contract sum is retained, and that
after 6 months a check is carried out on the status of the water point, and any deficits need to be
addressed by the contractor. It is unclear whether the maintenance period applies to the later phases
(from phase 4 onward) as well.
Rotary / Inbo / Cordaid/Clean Water for Bertoua, Cameroon November 2010, version 5
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