Kasungu Municipal Council says it is investing in water infrastructure to end persistent water shortages affecting about 80 000 people in the municipality.
Mayor Hastings Nyirongo told a full council meeting on Friday that they will prioritise improvement of water supply to end the crisis that threatens sanitation, business growth and investor confidence.
| Flora Kumphanda
He said: “Our people have endured the burden of unreliable water supply for too long, with some areas going weeks without water.
“As a council, we are aware that water is a fundamental service and we are making deliberate investments to rehabilitate the water infrastructure.”
Nyirongo said the municipality has already earmarked funds under the Reformed K5 billion Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to rehabilitate the town’s water supply system.
According to the approved plans, the council plans to invest K228 million to construction of two filters at the water treatment plant.
The council’s health and sanitation service committee chairperson Phangiwe Jere told the meeting that maintaining hygiene standards has become increasingly difficult due to water shortages.
She also called for improved waste management, especially in densely populated trading centres.
The meeting also discussed growing pressure in public schools, with members expressing concern over congestion in most primary schools.
The council also approved fourth-quarter reports from various service committees.
Kasungu Municipality’s proposed budget for the 2026/27 financial year stands at K6 billion, with K5 billion expected from CDF allocations and K1 billion from locally generated revenue.
