Government has acknowledged the water crisis faced by citizens residing in George, Kanyama and other peri – urban areas in Lusaka.
Water Development and Sanitation Minister Mike Mposha says the government is fully committed to improving water quality and sanitation services in various compounds particularly, in under-saved communities, in line with the 8th National Development Plan of providing access to clean and safe water for all.
Mr Mposha said this in Lusaka today during the groundbreaking ceremony for the drilling of 10 commercial bole holes in kanyama Constituency.
The Minister announced that an estimated 48,000 people will benefit from the installation of these 20 boreholes, underscoring the significant positive impact this initiative will have on the community’s health and well-being, in line with the targets outlined in the eighth national development plan.
He charged that a number of citizens continue to grapple with the absence of clean and safe drinking water leading to waterborne diseases and other health complications, a situation he described as unacceptable in a modern society.
He said the availability of ground water resources will reduce reliance on surface water that are vulnerable to contamination and depletion which in turn mitigates the impact of drought and strengthens the resilience of communities against the effects of climate change.
Mr Mposha indicated that the selection process for these borehole locations was done in a thorough manner considering factors such as population density, water demand, water quality and existing infrastructure to ensure maximum benefit for the community.
Mr Mposha has further urged the residents and civic leaders to guard the infrastructure against vandalism and theft as the government is losing huge sums of money to replace and maintain the damaged boreholes.
Speaking at the same function, Lusaka Water and Sanitation Company (LWSC) Managing Director Jilly Chiyombwe recognized the importance of accessing clean water and sanitation services as a fundamental right.
Mr Chiyombwe disclosed that this year, the company will focus on procuring bulk meters to ensure that all customers are accurately metered, a step which is essential for efficient billing, resource management, and equitable distribution.
“We will continue engaging with local leaders, community, schools, and civic organizations to raise awareness about water conservation, hygiene, and the importance of paying for services, especially with the adverse impact of climate change which has affected water levels,” he pointed out
He outlined challenges faced by the water utility company as mainly due to non-payment of water bills by some customers which impacts the company’s ability to maintain and expand its services.
Meanwhile, Garden Park ward 10 Councilor Gerald Samboko thanked the government for drilling the bore holes for the people of Kanyama who have been using shallow wells for a long time.
