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Problem Statement

In the city of Dschang, access to safe drinking water remains a major public health challenge.

Although water supply infrastructure exists, a significant portion of the population relies on alternative water sources such as wells, springs, rivers, and public taps, whose sanitary quality is largely unknown or insufficiently monitored.

Rapid population growth, urban expansion, and agricultural activities near watercourses increase the risk of contamination. The absence of reliable, georeferenced, and regularly updated water quality data prevents communities and local authorities from identifying high-risk water sources and responding effectively.

As a result, populations are frequently exposed to waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid fever, and cholera.

This lack of structured information also limits preventive health actions, weakens decision-making by local authorities, and hinders the sustainable management of water resources.

Proposed Solution

CleanWater Map proposes a participatory digital water monitoring platform that combines geospatial mapping, basic water quality testing, and community engagement to improve water safety and public health in Dschang.

The solution consists of:

  • Identifying and geolocating all water sources used by the population
  • Collecting field data, including photos, observations, and basic water quality tests
    (pH, turbidity, nitrates, E. coli)
  • Classifying water sources using a clear risk-level system
    (green: safe, yellow: caution, red: unsafe)
  • Displaying results through an interactive GIS-based web map accessible to the public and local authorities
  • Continuously updating data through community participation and trained field agents

Impact and Vision

By providing clear, actionable, and spatialized information, CleanWater Map:

  • Empowers communities to make safer water consumption choices
  • Supports health authorities in targeted public health interventions
  • Enables local governments to plan sustainable water resource management

The platform is designed to be scalable, allowing future expansion to other municipalities and regions facing similar water safety challenges.

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Conclusion