No water in Lilongwe, residents draw water in rivers
Most parts of Malawi’s capital city, Lilongwe had gone six days without water supply, forcing some residents to draw water from unsafe sources such as rivers and dams.
But Lilongwe Water Board (LWB) spokesperson Trevor Phoya said the water situation is normalising.
In an interview yesterday, Phoya attributed the water shortage in the city to lack of power at their treatment plant in Area 3.
“Our pumps could not pump water and treat the water and that is what caused the [water] shortage. But in addressing this problem, we have hired water bowsers,” he said.
The Nation
crew found some residents of Kawale 1 and 2, Chilinde, Biwi, Area 36, and Area 3 drawing water from unsafe wells and rivers.
One of the residents of Kawale 2, Marita Stephano, said she has been drawing water from the well for six days.
“We have been coming here [at the well] since Friday and the water supply is not improving as we have not received any water bowsers to ease the water shortage,” she said.
According to LWB, almost the entire city was affected by the water shortage, but in some areas supply has been restored.
“The first waters from the pipes are usually like muddy, because of the extent of the water shortage in our pipes. The situation is under control and our men are working hard to normalise the situation so that all areas in Lilongwe have water,” Phoya said.
