2010/2011 Urban and Peri-Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Report launched
The 2010/2011 Urban and Peri-Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Report has been launched and government calling on the National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO) and water utilities to put in place mechanisms that will improve sanitation coverage.
Sanitation coverage for the country has lagged behind and is now at 54.1% compared to last years’ coverage of 36.6%. On the other hand ,the national water coverage in Urban and peri- Urban areas continues to improve and is now 77.5 %.
Officiating at the 2010/2011 Urban and peri urban water supply and sanitation sector report launch, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Local Government and Housing Ms Christah Kalulu reiterated government’s commitment to the development and provision of sustainable water supply and sanitation services as articulated in the 6th National Development plan and the vision 2030.
She said since 1994 more than 2 Trillion Kwacha has been invested in the improvement of water supply and sanitation infrastructure. “This year alone, government through the Ministry of Local Government and Housing has provided a supplementary budget amounting to 94 Billion to enable Commercial Utilities undertake emergency works.”
Ms Kalulu noted that as a result of government efforts, access to clean and safe water has increased to 77.5% from as low as 45% in 2002.
She however noted as a challenge the marginalization of sanitation by the Commercial Utilities especially in peri- urban areas and called on Commercial Utilities to double their efforts and promote sanitation services.
Ms Kalulu further urged Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) to give priority to supplying constant power supply and stable voltage to water supply and sanitation treatment and distribution plants in order to facilitate reliable provision of clean water. This is against the backdrop of frequent power outages in a number of towns among others Petauke, Chipata, Ndola, Kawambwa, Mumbwa and Mongu which hamper water service delivery.
At the same Occasio
n, Southern Water and Sewerage Company was awarded the Best performing Commercial Utility in the country, while Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company was second. Lusaka and Nkana Water and Sewerage Companies were awarded the most improved Commercial Utility and Best performing Commercial Utility in Peri Urban respectively.
Other Recognitions for Excellence in performance were:
- Best Submitted Data -Eastern WSC
- Un- accounted for -Water Southern WSC
- Water Quality- North Western WSC
- Metering Ratio -Eastern WSC
- Water Coverage- Lusaka WSC
- Sanitation Coverage - Mulonga WSC
- Collection Efficiency- Luapula WSC
- Hours of Supply -Lukanga WSC
- Staff per 1,000 connections - Chambeshi WSC
- O+M Cost coverage collection- Mulonga WSC
The full 2010/2011 Urban and Peri-Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Report can be downloaded here
