Water rationing a threat to public health - Wash Forum

THE Zambia NGO Wash Forum has expressed concern about the potential negative outcomes that may result from rationing water by the Lusaka Water Sanitation Company ( LWSC) for up to 10 hours each day on grounds of low electricity supply by Zesco.

Wash Forum board chairperson Marlon Phiri said the action shall compound the threats towards the WASH sector which is yet to recover from the cholera outbreak which started in October 2023 and claimed hundreds of lives.

Mr. Phiri said almost all WASH systems have variables that totally depend on continuous water supply and that the 10- hour- long rationing was likely to cause a trail of other waterborne diseases in Lusaka.

He said water played a significant role in strengthening resilience in people by assisting them to recover from the drought by adapting to long- term shifts and promoting mitigation efforts.

Mr. Phiri said the decision by LWSC had serious repercussions on public health and livelihoods.

“We acknowledge that the challenge stems from the impact of drought resulting in power outages. Nevertheless, we are urging LWSC to find alternative solutions such as placing some of the ground water facilities on solar power, in the long term engaging the private sector to install solar power at their major plants in Kafue and Chilanga, work with Zesco to ensure all water plants are not on load management schedule as opposed to reducing water access,” Mr Phiri said. He said Wash Forum suggesting the option of shutting down the distribution systems in the night to save power and be able to supply water during the day.

“Water is life and inadequate access, may lead to a number of health problems. In addition, water rationing will disproportionately affect marginalised populations more since access to clean and safe water is already a big challenge to them.

Unlike the middle class that can afford other options such as using own boreholes, storing water in reservoirs and buying mineral water.

For the vulnerable populations, LWSC supply is their only source of water. Rationing water supply of up to 10 hours to them means disconnecting their very livelihoods and means of survival,” Mr Phiri said.