Lilongwe City residents tell water board to improve

Lilongwe Water Board (LWB) clients have expressed disappointment over erratic services rendered by the water provider.

The clients said this while endorsing findings of a key assessment conducted by the Centre for Youth Empowerment and Civic Education (Cyece) on the LWB, which revealed gaps in the board’s operations and services.

The Cyece’s Water Service Delivery Assessment findings were released during an interface meeting between Kalondolondo Programme staff, LWB officials and associations for water users at Bridge View Hotel in Lilongwe on Tuesday.

Cyece executive director Lucky Mbewe said: “The most common complaints were the use of substandard materials such as pipes, delays in replacing damaged pipes, exorbitant pricing system, delays in initial water connection and frequent dry taps.”

Kalondolondo Programme executive director Jephter Mwanza said the meeting provided a platform for the board and water users to interface before independent bodies, unlike relying on closed-door discussions.

LWB spokesperson Trevor Phoya recently said the board is raising Kamuzu DAM I in a bid to improve availability of water in the Lilongwe and surrounding areas. n