Current Practices and Challenges in Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater and Fecal Sludge Treatment in Cameroon: A Critical Review

Abstract

ABSTRACT Constructed wetlands (CWs) offer a low‐cost, sustainable alternative to conventional wastewater treatment technologies, particularly in developing countries. This review synthesizes current research on the application of CWs for wastewater and fecal sludge treatment in Cameroon, highlighting progress, limitations, and future research priorities. Findings indicate that most CW initiatives in Cameroon remain experimental or pilot‐scale, with limited full‐scale implementation. Various macrophytes have been tested for pollutant removal, among which Echinochloa pyramidalis has shown superior adaptability to wastewater environments and potential for biomass reuse. However, efforts to optimize substrate composition, hydraulic design, and configuration remain limited. Major barriers to large‐scale adoption include the absence of standardized design criteria, inadequate institutional and legal frameworks, financial and infrastructural constraints, poor maintenance practices, and insufficient long‐term data collection. Despite these challenges, CWs demonstrate strong potential for improving decentralized sanitation and fecal sludge management. Future research should prioritize performance optimization under local climatic conditions, the use of locally available materials, and microbial and plant–substrate interactions to guide the development of context‐specific, scalable CW solutions for sustainable sanitation in Cameroon.