• This is a long term intervention for stable water supply in Itezhi-Tezhi district.
• The current scenario of depending on ZESCO bulk water supply has proved to be unsustainable.
• Currently ZESCO Limited manages overall water production.

Lukanga Water Supply and Sanitation Company (LgWSC) says it has lobbied for resources from Itezhi-Tezhi Power Corporation for designing adequate water production and distribution systems.
Utility Public Relations Manager, Siwa Mwene said in a statement that this is a long term intervention for stable water supply in Itezhi-Tezhi district, as the current scenario of depending on ZESCO bulk water supply has proved to be unsustainable.
Ms. Mwene attributed the water supply crisis that has affected most parts of the district to reduced produced water volumes which the utility receives from the bulk water supplier ZESCO.
“Currently ZESCO Limited manages overall water production whilst LgWSC at the moment only distributes and monitors water quality to about 950 properties.”
“Through engagements with ZESCO, Lukanga Water has been informed that the power utility company is facing some challenges in the production of water due to unstable electrical power supply and a breakdown in critical equipment at the water treatment plant facilities,” Ms. Mwene stated.
She said this move has resulted in low volumes produced which are inadequate to satisfy water demand in Itezhi-Tezhi district.
“For the past 5 days, Lukanga Water is only able to distribute water to a few properties for about 3 hours in the morning. The Company is optimistic that ZESCO will resolve the issues as soon as possible and is appealing for calm as authorities manage the situation back to normal,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ms. Mwene revealed that the utility firm has begun the process of handing over water supply and sanitation service provision to Southern Water Supply and Sanitation Company Limited (SWASCO) and the process is expected to be concluded by 31st July 2023.
“On the other hand, Lukanga Water is yet to receive a written consent from the Itezhi Tezhi Town Council requesting surrendering of shareholding rights in Lukanga Water,” Ms. Mwene added.
Recently, Itezhi-Tezhi Member of Parliament Twambo Mutinta called on Lukanga Water and Sewerage Company to expedite the process of handing over its operations to Southern Water Supply and Sanitation Company Limited for allegedly failing to operate in an efficient manner, for over 10 years.
“Despite resolutions having been passed by the shareholders who are Itezhi-tezhi District Council after a stakeholders meeting held at the Ministry with a deadline given of up to 17 March 2023, for Lukanga to surrender operations, the struggling water utility company has ignored the resolutions and continues to run water functions in Itezhi Tezhi,” he stated.