Minister explains BT, LL water problems
Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Allan Chiyembekeza has told Parliament the scarcity of water in Lilongwe and Blantyre is due to the growing population in the two cities.
The minister said this on Friday when he presented a report on the situation of water in the country.
He said Blantyre Water Board (BWB) embarked on upgrading and renewal works at its intake pond at Walker’s Ferry to increase supply.
Chiyembekeza said the works were almost through and that BWB will increase its pumping capacity from about 78 000 cubic metres to 98 000 cubic metres per day. The board’s current demand is 110 000 cubic metres daily.
Said the minister: “Mr Speaker Sir, I am pleased to report that the Blantyre Water Board is gradually meeting the current peak demand which is estimated at 100 000 cubic metres per day. The water situation is gradually improving.”
He said customers in worst hit areas such as Bangwe, Namiyango, Chilobwe, Naotcha, Nguludi, Mpingwe, Bvumbwe and Chiradzulu were now recording improved daily supply.
However, on the water situation in Lilongwe, Chiyembekeza said the construction of storage facilities at Lilongwe Airwing and 100 water kiosks was benefiting about 25 000 people in various low income areas such as 38, 46, 49, 56, 59, 62, Sankhani, Malemia and Njewa.
The minister said to supplement surface water abstraction, exploration of groundwater was being done at Lumbadzi to meet demand in the northern part of the city of Lilongwe.
In recent years, Blantyre and Lilongwe cities have been facing erratic water supply , forcing the respective water boards to embark on expansion programmes to meet rising demand. n
