LINDA SOKO TEMBO Writes
@SunZambian
CHELSTONE residents have complained that they have not had water in the area for the last five days.
The residents have expressed sadness that Lusaka Water Sewerage Company (LWSC) has not informed them that there will be no water supply in the area for days.
One of the residents, Elizabeth Chilufya, said it was important that the utility company informed the residents when there would be no water supply in the area.
Water was a very important commodity in every home.
Ms Chilufya said residents were moving long distances in search of water because they did not store enough in their homes.
It was difficult for them to manage the homes without water.
“It’s very sad that every time water goes we are not informed, and it goes for days. We really struggle to look for water. If only they could be giving us a notice and how many days water would go that would be better so that we also plan, especially those with big families,” Ms Chilufya said.
Another resident, Ruth Mwanza, said LWSC should improve water supply in the area as it had promised now that the new water tank was complete.
Ms Mwanza demanded that the company visit the area and brief residents on the progress of the new water tank and explain why Chelstone still had water challenges.
“LWSC promised us that once the new tank is completed they would improve water supply in Chelstone and surrounding areas. So they should update us so that we know the situation instead of cutting water for days. It’s not fair and at the end of the month they want us to pay the water pills in full,” Ms Chilufya said.
Meanwhile, LWSC public relations officer Nshamba Muzungu said the company was aware of the water challenges the residents of Chelstone and surrounding areas were experiencing and that it would do everything possible to improve the water supply.
Mr Muzungu attributed the erratic water supply in the area to power fluctuation at Iolanda treatment plant and Chilanga boost station, which meant they were not able to transmit water through the main transmitting line into Lusaka.
“When we are transmitting water from Kafue to Chelstone, Avondale and surrounding areas are the last points which receive water. As a company, we are working to ensure that we improve supply,” he said.
Mr Muzungu said one of the interventions was the construction of a new water tank under the Millennium Challenge Account and once everything was done water supply would improve in the area.
