Standby generators on way for water plants, parley told

GOVERNMENT says it has plans to procure generator sets for use as power backups by water plants during electricity load-sheddng management periods.

Minister of Water Development, Sanitation and Environment Jonas Chanda has however urged managements at all water reticulation plants to negotiate directly with Zesco so that the pole lines that supply power to plants are not subjected to load-shedding.

Dr Chanda said this in Parliament yesterday during the question for oral answer.

Nakonde member of Parliament Yizukanji Siwanzi asked the minister whether the government was aware that the water reticulation plant in Nakonde was not operating at full capacity, as of December, 2019, due to rationing of electricity which is provided through a pre-paid tariff plan.

Mr Siwanzi also wanted to

know whether the government has any plans to migrate the Nakonde plant and other facilities, countrywide, which are on pre-paid tariff to the fixed tariff payment plan.

"If so, when the plans will be implemented; and

whether the government has any plans to procure generator sets for use as power backups by water plants during electricity load management periods," Mr Siwanzi asked.

In response, Dr Chanda said Government was aware that the water reticulation plant in Nakonde was not operating at full capacity due to rationing of electricity, but said it has now improved from 6-20 hours.