Water demand for Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi has shot sharply consequently overwhelming the sole supplier, the Lilongwe Water Board-LWB.

The boards current water reservoirs at Kamuzu Dams 1 and 2 are not adequate to meet the growing demand resulting from growing urbanization.

Plans are now for expansion by way of construction of a new dam.

“We have identified a site at Diamphwi somewhere in Dedza where we can build additional reserves,” LWB Deputy General Manager Mr. Samson Mwandira says.

The project requires over 60 million US dollars, about 9.3 billion Malawi Kwacha.

“We cannot raise such an amount on our own. We need government and donor support,” says Mwandira.

LWB is struggling to provide a 24 hour water supply to 400 thousand people.

Irrigation and Water Development minister Mr. Richie Muheya prays that the project be achieved through the National Water Development Programme which was established to, among others, enhance capacity of Malawi’s water boards

However, minister Muheya said he was impressed that with limited resources, LWB has ensured that city residents have access to water.

Currently Lilongwe Water Board says, among other factors, heavy deforestation their main catchment area, Lilongwe river, is leading to heavy siltation.

Access to potable water and sanitation remain one of the priorities in the Millennium Development goals, which Malawi has to achieve by 2015.