Ministry challenges SRWB on water crisis

Minister of water and sanitation Abida Mia has challenged Southern Region Water Board SRWB to find means of addressing water crisis in Liwonde before the year 2024

Speaking when she visited water treatment plant and new water intake situated along Shire River in Machinga district the minister said that it was very unfortunate that over 32 thousand people living around Liwonde are supplied by only two thousand hundred cubic metres out of 6 thousand cubic metres required

Following the discussions with SRWB to address the challenge Mia assured people that the two industrial boreholes will be drilled soon to be pumping ten litres of water per second

The minister also observed that “there is a huge sanitation crisis in the township of liwonde which needs a quick response hence asked SRWB to respond immediately.”

She urged the water board to engage AIB to drill another borehole to supply more water to people

On his part SRWB executive director Duncan Chambamba said they have already identified contractor to drill all four boreholes which will be able to produce three thousand cubic metres of water to complement current supply

“People living in Liwonde only access water during the day due to low capacity of the company which is failing to meet the demand of its customers,” Chambamba revealed

Chambamba added that lack of resources and pipes that collect dirty water are among the major challenges contributing towards the low and dirty water supply in the township