New dam for Kasungu in the offing

In its quest to satisfy the demand for piped water in Kasungu, the Central Region Water Board (CRWB) has said it has plans to construct a multipurpose dam on Dwangwa River.

Kasungu Town, which has become one of the major business hubs in the country due to agriculture, has also seen its population increase rapidly.

CRWB anticipates that the demand for water will also increase in the coming years and it is necessary to look for other water sources to meet the demand for the safe water.

CRWB zone manager for Kasungu Zone Moses Kalenga said the current dam is too small to meet future demand.

Said Kalenga: “Although the dam is small, at the moment, it is able to satisfy the water demand. But in future, we feel the dam will no longer be able to support the town, so we are not just sitting idle, but we have long term plans.

“There are plans that government will construct a dam on Dwangwa River and this will help us supply water to the ever increasing population of the town.”

Kalenga did not say how soon the dam, to be located 20 kilometres away from the town, will be constructed, but said all necessary preparations are in place.

Meanwhile, the board says it will from the month of August onwards, embark on catchment area conservation measures on the current dam after people complained that the dam has been neglected.

The dam has been shrinking after some weeds covered most of its surface.