CAMWATER, Centre Pasteur seal deal to improve water quality nationwide.

The agreement was signed recently by CAMWATER Director General, Dr Blaise Moussa, and Centre Pasteur Director General, Dr Mirdad Kazanji. 

It formalises collaboration between CAMWATER and the scientific institution with goal to ensure water safety, public health, and consumer confidence. 

Under the terms of the convention, the Centre Pasteur will carry out both microbiological and physico-chemical analyses of water sources and water treatment products across all of CAMWATER's concession areas. 

The agreement also covers professional training and accreditation of CAMWATER field agents, external quality audits, and ongoing technical assistance from the Centre Pasteur.

Dr Moussa was clear about the stakes involved, framing the agreement as a public health imperative as much as a technical one.

“The key word is quality assurance for the satisfaction of consumers, to guarantee quality, but also health and food safety, because water is a food,” he said.

He went on to reassure the Cameroonian public about the safety of tap water, pointing to the country's clean record on waterborne disease.

“We want to recommend to Cameroonians to consume CAMWATER water, because we have never heard of an epidemic or pandemic resulting from poor water quality. This water is safe,” Dr Moussa stated.

He further stressed that CAMWATER's water is the most thoroughly tested in Cameroon, adding that the consumer remains both the primary beneficiary and the most demanding inspector of quality assurance.

For his part, the Centre Pasteur's Director General welcomed the renewed trust placed in his institution, drawing particular attention to the independence and international standing of its laboratories.

According to Dr Kazanji, the institution is an independent, ISO-accredited (ISO 17025) laboratory to international standards, which respects the norms for water and food analysis. 

He praised CAMWATER's approach of submitting its production to scrutiny by an independent, accredited body, describing it as a commendable mindset that benefits the entire population.

The laboratory analyses to be conducted under the convention will cover two key areas. Microbiological testing will screen for bacteria, germs, and other pathogens which, according to Dr Kazanji, are fortunately absent in the majority of cases. 

Physico-chemical testing, he said, will verify that the water is free from heavy metals such as lead and mercury.

“I am delighted with this partnership. The convention we have signed allows CAMWATER to have all of Cameroon's water sources analysed at the Centre Pasteur, to demonstrate that the water is fit for consumption, for the benefit of the health of the population and for the health of Cameroonians,” Dr Kazanji said.

Authorities indicated that the strengthened partnership represents a significant step in improving water quality surveillance, with a focus on protecting consumers and maintaining high standards in water production and distribution systems across the country.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3760 of Tuesday April 14, 2026