Madam Speaker,
Honourable Members of Parliament,
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to provide an update on Government’s ongoing efforts to enhance water supply and sanitation services in Lusaka Province. These interventions being undertaken are aligned with Vision 2030, the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP), and Sustainable Development Goal No. 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation for All.
- Current Water Production and Supply Status
Madam Speaker,
Lusaka currently produces an average of 350,000 cubic metres of water per day, against a daily demand of 480,000 cubic metres—resulting in a deficit of approximately 130,000 cubic metres. However, due to the recent climate-induced drought, actual production has dropped further to 265,000 cubic metres per day. This growing shortfall highlights the urgent need for sustainable, climate-resilient water solutions.
- Long-Term Water Security Planning and Design
To secure Lusaka’s long-term water supply, the Government is undertaking a K4.35 million feasibility study for the construction of a dam in Chongwe District. The study is 70% complete and aims to develop a system capable of serving over 313,000 residents. The dam is designed to store 8 to 10 million cubic metres of water, with a projected daily abstraction of up to 45,000 cubic metres.
Additionally, the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Council has approved two major projects:
- The Kafue Bulk Water Supply Project (Phase II): This includes the installation of 100,000 m³/day pumps at Iolanda II, construction of a new treatment plant, booster station, transmission pipelines, a distribution centre, and a dedicated power substation.
- The Lusaka West Water Supply Project (LWWSP): Implemented under the Lusaka Water Security Initiative (LUWSI), this project addresses water shortages and groundwater contamination in high-density areas such as Garden House, George Compound, Lilanda, and Kanyama.
- Infrastructure Expansion in Peri-Urban Areas
The Government has allocated K34 million to the Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company to improve water access for over 50,000 peri-urban residents, contributing to cholera prevention and public health.
Key achievements include:
- Installation of a 4.7 km water distribution pipeline, with 4,000 households connected in Garden Park and Makeni Villa (Kanyama Constituency).
- Construction of elevated reservoir tanks (350 m³) in Chunga (Matero) and Garden Park.
- Development of a commercial borehole and supporting infrastructure, including land acquisition in Kanyama Constituency.
- Drought Response and Climate Resilience
To mitigate climate-related water shortages:
- 24 commercial boreholes are being drilled at a cost of K10.16 million; 11 have already been completed, benefiting 80,000 residents in areas including Linda, Bauleni, George, and Silverest.
- 20 additional boreholes are under construction in George and parts of Kanyama at a cost of K22.5 million. So far, 19 boreholes have been drilled, with 4 equipped. The project will be completed by July 2025.
- In Chongwe, a 260KW solar power system has been installed to run the booster station and boreholes at Margaret Mwachiyeya wellfield, to be commissioned by July 2025.
- Diesel generators worth K2.5 million have been deployed to maintain water supply during power outages in areas such as Kabanana, Chainda, Garden Park, and Leopards Hill.
- Rural Water and Sanitation Service Delivery
Following the 2018 policy revision assigning rural water service provision to commercial utilities, feasibility studies are underway in Rufunsa and Kafue to identify sustainable options for underserved rural communities.
- Water Quality and Monitoring
To improve water treatment efficiency, a USD 429,419 onsite chlorine generation plant is being constructed at Stuart Park with support from USAID. Construction is nearing completion, and the plant will help reduce dependence on imported chlorine.
- Sanitation Infrastructure and Services
Under the Lusaka Sanitation Programme, aimed at achieving 100% sanitation coverage by 2035, the following achievements have been made:
- Construction of 5,838 household toilets in George, Kanyama, and Kuomboka.
- Emptying of over 18,000 existing toilets.
- Construction of two faecal sludge treatment plants (Manchinchi and Matero).
- Installation of 100 public toilets in 21 schools, 4 health centres, and 5 markets.
- Over 300 km of sewer network and 20 sewer pump stations have been built, benefiting over 900,000 people.
Looking ahead, two energy-autonomous wastewater treatment plants will be constructed in Chunga and Ngwerere by 2030. Current sanitation coverage in Lusaka stands at 82%.
- Water Metering for Efficiency and Accountability
To improve operational efficiency and reduce water losses, Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company has launched a large-scale metering programme targeting 64,415 properties. This initiative aims to:
- Improve billing accuracy,
- Reduce non-revenue water,
- Promote water conservation.
- Community Projects under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF)
In line with the decentralisation agenda, the Ministry is collaborating with local authorities to deliver community water supply projects through CDF. Examples include:
- Bauleni: A K5.18 million upgrade of a 2.6 km network (95% complete), set to benefit over 120,000 people.
- Chinika Ward (Kanyama): Six communal water kiosks constructed at a cost of K598,396.11, now serving 8,316 residents.
- Kabanana: A K3 million pipeline connecting groundwater and surface systems (85% complete), expected to benefit 40,000 residents.
- Groundwater Protection
In partnership with Fresh Life Zambia, the Ministry is piloting Container-Based Sanitation (CBS) systems to protect groundwater in Kafue. Up to 200 CBS units will be installed by December 2025, with plans for national scale-up.
Additional innovations include:
- Mapping of wellfields,
- Groundwater recharge zone delineation,
- Hydro-census surveys,
- Pollution risk assessments.
Madam Speaker,
The Shaft 5 Wellfield in Lilayi, Chilanga District, supplies approximately 22% of Lusaka’s municipal groundwater. However, increased residential development near this critical resource poses a risk to water quality and supply. To address this, Shaft 5 has been divided into three Groundwater Protection Zones (GWPZs) and will soon be declared a Water Resource Protected Area (WRPA)
Madam Speaker,
The interventions outlined today reflect Government’s unwavering commitment to climate resilience, inclusive development, and sustainable service delivery in the water and sanitation sector. These are not merely infrastructure projects—they are essential steps toward enhancing public health, productivity, and human dignity.
Allow me to express profound gratitude to His Excellency, President Hakainde Hichilema, who serves as the African Union’s Champion on Sanitation and Hygiene, and SADC Champion in the fight against Cholera. His visionary leadership continues to place the water and sanitation agenda at the heart of national development.
Madam Speaker, I thank you.