_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ *Corresponding author: E-mail: emmanongbuh@gmail.com; Journal of Geography, Environment and Earth Science International 26(7): 47-56, 2022; Article no.JGEESI.89067 ISSN: 2454-7352 Critical Challenges, Implications and Sustainable Options of Potable Water Management in Mutengene, South West Region, Cameroon Emmanuel Nong Buh a* , Roy Lyonga Mbua a , Melle Ekane Maurice a , Tata Emmanuel Sunjo b , Amos Fang Zeh b , Leonard Shang-Quartey c and Ukah Bonaventure Ngong a a Department of Environmental Science, University of Buea, Cameroon. b Department of Geography, University of Buea, Cameroon. c Integrated Social Development Center (ISODEC), Ghana. Authors’ contributions This work was carried out in collaboration among all authors. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Article Information DOI: 10.9734/JGEESI/2022/v26i730363 Open Peer Review History: This journal follows the Advanced Open Peer Review policy. Identity of the Reviewers, Editor(s) and additional Reviewers, peer review comments, different versions of the manuscript, comments of the editors, etc are available here: https://www.sdiarticle5.com/review-history/89067 Received 08 May 2022 Accepted 13 July 2022 Published 01 August 2022 ABSTRACT Sustainable management of potable water has been an outstanding problem faced by the world and a greater challenge of it is seen in Africa. The rapid growing population in Cameroon has led to a critical challenge of potable water management in Mutengene, south west region of Cameroon. This study examines the critical challenges and implications of potable water management and supply in Mutengene. A combination of research methods like the literature reviews; interviews and reconnaissance field appraisal have been used in this study. A community based cross-sectional survey was conducted from December 2021 to February 2022 using quantitative and qualitative approaches. The assessment of water supply challenges was done with a semi quantitative approach. Two hundred and twenty-five (225) questionnaires were administered while qualitative data was collected through Focus Group Discussions and in-depth interviews. The results obtained from the questionnaires administered indicated that 60% of the water supply challenges were as a result of frequent water shortages in Mutengene town. Meanwhile 40% of the respondents stated that longer distances is being undertaken every day to fetch for potable water. In order to overcome Review Article