Water crisis hits Mzuzu

Water crisis has hit Mzuzu City, a development that has forced Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) and Mzuzu City Council (MCC) to appeal to residents to start conserving water.

For over a month, many areas in the city have had no water following low water levels in Lunyangwa Dam.

NRWB spokesperson Edward Nyirenda confirmed the development on Tuesday but attributed the problem to high demand of water which is exerting pressure on the dam.

“The dam can’t cope with growing demand in the city as it was designed for a small population. Due to the growing demand and inadequate rains, the dam is not filling up and, as I speak, the level of water is low,” said Nyirenda.

To meet the growing demand, Nyirenda said the board needs about $100 million ( about K5.5 billion) to construct a new dam in the Viphya plantation.

He also blamed power outages which, he said, make the machines fail to pump enough water.

MCC mayor William Mkandawire said the problem is beyond the board’s control and appealed to residents to understand.

He said Mzuzu is growing fast, a development which is exerting pressure on the dam that supplies water.

However, Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Allan Chiyembekeza expressed ignorance about water problem in Mzuzu. He, however, said government is ready to help the board source funds for the construction of a new dam. n