Commercial Water Utilities Losing K1.5 Million Per Month As a Result of The Current Water Shortage

Minister of Water Development and Sanitation has disclosed that Commercial Water utility companies are losing an average of K1.5 million per month as a result of the current water shortage which has resulted in reduced sales.

Delivering a ministerial statement in Parliament, Collins Nzovu says the reduction in sales has been coupled with low water tariffs of an average of K9 per cubic meter, against an average unit cost of recovery of about K13.9, thereby making it difficult for utilities to sustain their operations.

Engineer Nzovu states that the drying up of water sources and load shedding owing to the drought, has resulted in reduced water supply especially in Lusaka, Katete, Kasempa, Solwezi and Kaoma.

He says as one of the mitigation measures, government will construct 100 boreholes in all drought affected areas.