The Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company has started Water rationing in Lusaka District due to the ongoing load shedding management by ZESCO limited.
Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company Managing Director, Billy Chiyombwe says the decision stems from critical factors of the impacts of drought affecting Southern Africa in general, Zambia inclusive.
speaking during a press briefing in Lusaka today, Mr. Chiyombwe said the adverse effects of climate change has a huge impact on underground water sources.
“In view of the ongoing electricity supply constraints on our water production and distribution facilities, and concerns about the declining underground water levels due to drought, it has affected our ability to produce and sustain consistent water supply as required, “he said.
Mr. Chiyombwe explained that the utility company’s regular production capacity is approximately 330 million liters of water per day against a demand of 480 million.
He noted that 53 percent is surface water from the Kafue River and that 47 is groundwater sources through strategically positioned boreholes.
Mr. Chiyombwe further noted that on average, LWSC is losing slightly more than eight hours of production pay day due to load management programme and that supply hours have dropped from 18 hours to 10 hours per day.
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