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Water Minister Challenges SRWB to Increase Water Supply

Mia Mia - pic by Moses Masiye

Minister of Water and Sanitation Abida Mia has instructed Southern Region Water Board (SRWB) to ensure that it supplies adequate, and potable water to its customers.

In response to Liwonde residents’ outcry over inadequate and dirty water, Mia told Zodiak Online on Friday that apart from a having water all the time, people deserve potable water all the time.

The water system was reportedly designed to cater for 8000 people but the current population is at 32000 and the supply is 2500cubic metres against the required 6000cubic metres.

"I have challenged SRWB to devise means that will satisfy the demand. The situation in Liwonde is actually a crisis and we can’t wait until 2024 when the said Liwonde/Balaka water project will be completed,” Mia said.

She said she has also told SRWV to improve on issues of hygiene and sanitation.

As a solution, SRWB said will install two heavy-duty boreholes that will pump 10litres per second which is roughly 720cubic metres per 20hours which for two equals 1440cc.

SRWB executive director Duncan Chambamba says the utility body has accepted the minister’s challenge to provide adequate water for its Liwonde customers.

“SRWB has already identified funding for the project as a prompt response to rectify the water shortage.  We will install four boreholes to ease the situation as people are currently having water during the night only,” Chimbamba said.

He said in the short term the board will use about K450million to drill heavy duty boreholes, install pumps and pump the water to clients.

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