Lilongwe Water Board (LWB) has appealed for K2 billion support for the implementation of its cholera interventions which include provision of free piped water and extension of water supply to the city’s outskirts.

Speaking on Monday when Minister of Water and Sanitation Abida Mia toured the board’s facilities, LWB board chairperson Paramount Chief M’Mbelwa V said the cholera outbreak cannot be contained if the majority of people do not have access to clean water.

“We have presented our plans to donors, but we are also looking up to the government, the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 and Cholera and the private sector to support us,” he said.

Mia (in white coat) accompanied ny officials tour LWB facilities

M’Mbelwa also told the minister that since April 2022, the board has done at least 5 000 free water connections.

In her remarks, Mia said results of tests which LWB conducted randomly in some areas in Lilongwe show that shallow wells which most communities rely on, are contaminated with run-off water and water from pit latrines.

She said the ministry will ensure the board gets support to implement its short-term and long-term plans for people to access potable water.

“Already, the board is providing clean water to some areas using its water bowsers, but that is not enough. We want clean water where people live to substitute reliance on shallow wells,” said Mia.  

Area 36 resident Bridget Lwanda said while implementing these interventions, the board should  consider increasing the number of kiosks because the demand is high.

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