As much as it is justified to have repair works at Iolanda water treatment plant for 60 days, there is a need for all relevant institutions to be in prepared in case of outbreak of waterborne diseases such as cholera, Program Against Malnutrition (PAM) Executive Director Francis Kasamala has warned.
Recently, Minister of Water Development and Sanitation Mike Mposha announced a 60-day water interruption in Lusaka beginning 14th September to facilitate the repair works at Iolanda Water Treatment Plant.
Speaking with The Scoop Mr. Kasamala said that the timing by Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company to repair the water pipeline and the treatment plant was not good especially that the hot season was at its crescendo.
He said that it was in the hot season that the risk of having an outbreak of waterborne diseases was increased, leading to a high possibility of outbreak of waterborne diseases.
“When it comes to the water crisis in Lusaka, our concern as PAM is that this could contribute to waterborne diseases to flourish. We could have an outbreak of diseases such as typhoid and cholera, among others. We hope that this matter is addressed as quickly as possible to avoid the outbreak of diseases.
“As much as we needed the repair, the timing is not very good. We are just going into the hot season and poor water sanitation could lead to diseases that could cost the country more,” Mr. Kasamala said.
He explained that consuming a large amount of low-quality water in the hot season increased the potential risk of ingesting waterborne pathogens, which could lead to serious diarrhoea and
cholera.
He added that drinking unsafe water could lead to many health challenges in the communities not just limiting to cholera but also a challenge where many children especially could be prevented from getting the nutrients needed to survive, ultimately leading to malnutrition.
Meanwhile Lusaka’ Chawama compound resident Twaambo Mwanasingoba said that due to limited water supply, fears of having waterborne diseases was slowly creeping in.
She explained that in the past when Lusaka was hit by a severe cholera outbreak, Chawama compound was highly affected and that was why the 60 days of water blues was a bit scary.
She said that as much as water bowsers were being provided at certain intervals and on certain days, not many were managing to fetch due to busy work schedules and also because of the distances at which these water bowsers were stationed.
“The water challenge especially here in Chawama is scary because it has worsened the already existing challenge that was there. Before the 60 days’ water crisis was even announced, here in Chawama compound, some areas still faced water blues, what more now?” she asked.