Southern Region Water Board
 
 
MINISTER OF WATER AND SANITATION VISIT ZOMBA TREATMENT PLANT AMIDST VANDALISM ACTS

On Monday the 29th of May 2023 the honourable Minister of Water and Sanitation, Hon. Abida Sidik Mia MP visited Zomba treatment plant where she appreciated the damage that was caused to the pipeline and the treatment plant after robbers had stolen anchoring clip’s that hold the pipeline in place. The anchoring clips were stolen on the eve of the 25th of May 2023, the act caused the pipeline to burst, break the concrete anchor that supports the pipeline and dug up the supporting soil. The burst also caused a land slide that poured mad into the treatment plant.

During her visit, the honourable minister bemoaned the situation saying that it has set the goal of access to portable water for every individual back as the Board’s resources have now been diverted towards fixing the already established infrastructure. Further she stated that the crisis has set back the fight against cholera in the town as access to water is one of the main ways for fighting the water borne disease.

The affected area

Zomba zone supplies water to about 6,000 customers who are now facing water supply challenges. As an immediate response SRWB has eight water bowsers that are helping distribute water to customers the Board is also laying out a new pipeline that will be connected to the old treatment plant in order to provide temporary relief to citizens.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of Southern Region Water Board Mr. Duncan Chambamba said that the works which include the fabrication of the pipeline, fabrication of the anchors and the realignment of the pipeline would cost the Board ABOUT Five hundred Million Kwacha to complete.

Mad slide that affected the treatment plant

In her closing remarks from the Visit Hon. Abida Sidik Mia thanked all those who had supported the Board with water bowsers and man power and requested that the customers in the area continue to remain patient as they wait for the Board to restore supply.

Laying out of the new pipeline that will bring water to old treatment plant