LUSAKA TAPS RUN DRY
By NATION REPORTER SEVERAL parts of Lusaka have been hit by a water crisis, forcing many residents to walk long distances to fetch the much prized commodity.
Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company (LWSC) marketing and public relations manager 3atson 3hiri confirmed the erratic water supply in selected parts of Lusaka which he attributed to ongoing refurbishing works at Libala Water Works.
Mr Phiri explained that the works were going to affect many clients being served from the Iolanda treatment plant which fed into Libala Water Works
“The erratic water supply that some parts of Lusaka are experiencing is because of the refurbishing works at Libala Water Works,
“There are some works going on and these will affect some of our clients, I am talking about those who feed from Iolanda treatment plant right up to Libala water works,” said Mr Phiri
He explained the erratic water supply which started last Saturday affected Kabwata, Kamwala, Kamwala South, City Centre, Villa Elizabetha, heavy industrial area, Matero, Emmasdale and the surrounding areas whose supply was expected to be normalised today.
He appealed to the affected residents to bear with the utility company as it was working round the clock to restore water supply.
Ms Maggie Zulu, a Matero resident of Maiteneke explained that her area has had no water for nearly a week and depended on a neighbour with a borehole who charged them K10 for a 210-litre container.
She said however that due to long queues at the borehole, she was forced to fetch the commodity from the nearby industrial area. Ms Zulu wondered what could have caused the erratic water supply and urged LWSC to do everything possible to normalise the situation.
She said it has been a challenge and difficult for her to carry out house chores as everything from washing clothes, plates and cooking depended on water.
“We are worried that there is no water in Matero and most parts of Lusaka, we don’t know what’s happening. We don’t have water for bathing, washing clothes and cooking,” Ms Zulu said.
Another resident Mika Mulenga said the situation was unhealthy as residents with Àushing toilets were completely stuck and feared diseases may break out.
Mr Mulenga said the water bowser that the LWSC dispatched to the area was not only enough but had also become a source of sTuabbles and fights.
He said there was need for a permanent solution which was to normalise supply.
And Muyenga Sipalo expressed concern that although the pipes were dry for almost a week, the water bills remained high.