The National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO) says following reports of water contamination in Nyumba Yanga, Malata and parts of Ibex Hill, it has commenced investigations in the affected areas.
In a statement, NWASCO public relations manager Mpunga Chipepo Simukwai stated that the council had also instructed Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company to increase the dosage of disinfectants (chlorine) and intensify surveillance in all parts of Lusaka whilst keeping customers informed.
“As enshrined in its mandate, NWASCO is committed to ensuring that the citizens of Zambia
have access to affordable, clean and safe water supply within areas where it has issued operating licenses to Water Supply and Sanitation Service Providers. It is a license condition that all Service Providers supply clean and safe water to their customers, through regular treatment of water according to the ZABS Drinking Water Standards. To ensure compliance to the national standards by the Service Providers, NWASCO has issued Water Quality Monitoring Guidelines which among others require each Utility to have a surveillance programme in place. NWASCO further conducts random verifications of the quality of water being supplied,” Simukwai stated.
“Apart from the annual inspections carried out on all the eleven utilities under its mandate, NWASCO has been conducting random testing of water in all parts of the Lusaka City as part
of its routine activities. However, following the reports of contamination, water quality testing has been intensified and investigations are ongoing to ascertain the source of the contamination in the reported areas. Some investigations are being done in collaboration with line ministries such as the Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental
Protection, Ministry of Health and key institutions such as WARMA. NWASCO has directed the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company to increase the dosage of disinfectants (chlorine) and intensify surveillance in all parts of Lusaka as well as keeping their customers informed on the developments. A detailed report will be issued to the public once investigations are concluded.”