Minister of Water Development, Sanitation, and Environmental Protection says government will endeavor to ensure that water companies in the country enhance their quality surveillance so that the water being supplied meets the required quality standards.
Jonas Chanda stated that government attaches great importance to the supply of clean treated water to residents countrywide.
Dr. Chanda said it is for this reason that government has embarked on major water supply and sanitation projects in line with the Vision 2030, Seventh National Development Plan and Sustainable Development Goals which aim to provide universal access to clean and safe water and sanitation services for all by the year 2030, without leaving anyone behind.
“The projects are as follows; Kafue Bulk Water Supply Project, Lusaka Water Supply, Sanitation and Drainage Project, Lusaka Sanitation Project, Emergency Water Supply Improvement Project to selected Peri – Urban areas in Lusaka, Zambia Water Supply and Sanitation Project under Mulonga Water Supply and Sanitation Company in Mufulira, Chingola and Chililabombwe.”
“Others include; Kafubu Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation Improvement Project, Kafulafuta Water Supply System Project, Nkana Water Supply and Sanitation Project Phase II, Integrated Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project, covering Western, Luapula, Muchinga and Northern Provinces; and Transforming Rural Livelihoods in Western Zambia Project in Western Province covering all 16 districts,” Dr. Chanda said.
Dr. Chanda observed that as a result of these projects, there has been significant improvement in the national coverage of water supply from 65 per cent in 2014 to 72 per cent currently.
“There has also been significant improvement in the national coverage of sanitation services from 25 per cent in 2014 to 54 per cent at present. With the conclusion of all these major water supply and sanitation projects, we expect that the country will be on its way to achieving universal access to water supply and sanitation by the year 2030,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Chanda said following the report on the suspected water contamination in Section B of Lusaka’s Mtendere Compound, it has preliminary been established that the suspected affected area is localized to Section B, consisting of about twenty-six households.
He stated that water supply to the affected area was isolated and the residents are being supplied with treated water using water bowsers, adding that Lusaka water supply and Sanitation Company has heightened investigations in order to establish the actual source of the problem and take remedial action.
“Following the report on the suspected water contamination in Section B of Mtendere Compound in Lusaka, I wish to update the members of the public and residents of Mtendere compound as follows: the Ministry, through Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company had dispatched quality surveillance team to thoroughly suspected investigate the source of the contamination in order to institute the necessary corrective measures.”
“It has preliminary been established that the suspected affected area is localized to Section B of Mtendere Compound, consisting of about Twenty-Six households, so it’s not the whole Mtendere which is affected,” he stated.
He appealed to the affected residents to remain patient and cooperate with Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company as they conclude their investigations to establish the source of the suspected contamination.
“I also wish to assure the rest of the residents of Mtendere Compound and surrounding communities that the treated water being supplied to their areas is consistently checked for quality and remains fit for consumption,” Dr. Chanda said.