Community members from Chikho Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Kasakula in Ntchisi District have demanded potable water from duty-bearers, saying they are drinking unsafe water from unprotected sources as the area has no borehole.
They said this on Tuesday during a media tour WaterAid organised for journalists to appreciate the water situation in the area.
In an interview, Catherine Iphani, a mother of four, said women struggle to get clean water in the village as they wake up early and walk long distances to access water.
She said: “There is no borehole in the village and the only source of water is a stream, but we accepted the situation.
“It is a big challenge because sometimes our children report late for classes due to the scramble for water at the source.”
On his part, group village head Kandodo said access to clean water was people’s right; hence, the need for authorities to drill a borehole.
“The problem is during the rainy season the water gets dirty and during the hot season, the stream dries up as well. So, either way, people need a better solution such as a borehole,” he said.
Ntchisi District Health Office health promotion officer Frank Kaphaso said his office was aware of water challenges in the area.
“It is a general problem in the district and it is one of the factors contributing to rampart waterborne diseases. We are working with different partners to improve the situation,” he said.
WaterAid programme officer Laston Zungu said they are implementing a Healthcare Facility Challenge Water Project in the district targeting health facilities and 10 villages.
“Of the 10 villages, Chikho Village is one of them,” he said.
The project, implemented to the tune of K500 million, is being funded by Wimbledon Foundation
