Katete District, Eastern Province – 28 June 2025
Government has marked a major milestone in ensuring water security for vulnerable communities with the commissioning of six newly drilled and equipped solar-powered boreholes in Katete District of Eastern Province.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Honourable Engineer Minister Collins Nzovu expressed both pride and urgency as he addressed the significance of this intervention amidst Zambia’s ongoing battle with climate change.
“It is both a great honour and a profound pleasure to be here in Katete District today to officiate at this significant event. This commissioning is not just ceremonial—it is a declaration of hope, dignity, and development for the people of Katete,” he said.
The Eastern Province has been one of the hardest-hit regions by the effects of prolonged droughts. The situation became dire when, in August 2024, the Katete Dam—the main water source for the district—completely dried up. This led to a complete shutdown of the town’s water supply system, leaving over 40,000 residents without access to clean and safe drinking water.
In response to the emergency, the Eastern Water and Sanitation Company initially installed a portable diesel-powered pump, offering only a limited supply of water for a few hours twice a week.
Recognising the severity and urgency of the crisis, the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, in collaboration with Eastern Water and Sanitation Company, launched an emergency intervention. Within months, six commercial boreholes were drilled and equipped, each powered by a hybrid energy system combining solar power with ZESCO grid electricity.
“These hybrid-powered boreholes ensure a reliable and uninterrupted water supply—even during power outages. This is a practical and sustainable solution to the challenges brought on by climate change,” the Minister stated.
The project was financed through a targeted government investment of over ZMW 4 million (ZMW 4,051,000), reflecting the New Dawn Government’s unwavering commitment to equitable access to water for all Zambians.
Hon. Nzovu emphasized that the developments in Katete are part of a broader, ambitious national programme to strengthen water systems and expand access to clean water and sanitation across both urban and rural Zambia.
Among the notable interventions:
- Integrated Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Programme: Covering 12 towns in Luapula, Northern, Muchinga, and Western Provinces, targeting over 1.6 million beneficiaries.
- In Luapula Province: Mwense, Kawambwa, and Mansa projects valued at over USD 21 million, serving 236,000 people.
- In Northern Province: Kasama and Mbala projects worth USD 28 million, reaching 250,000 residents.
- In Muchinga Province: Mpika and Nakonde projects valued at USD 18.1 million, benefitting 112,000 people.
- In Western Province: Mongu, Senanga, Sesheke, and Kaoma projects—78% complete—aimed at serving over 1 million people.
- Rural Water Expansion Initiatives:
- 25 boreholes in Eastern Province (Chipata, Lundazi, Nyimba) for 6,000 residents.
- 40 boreholes on the Copperbelt reaching 10,000 people.
- 15 piped water schemes in Western Province (Kalabo, Mongu, Mitete, Lukulu, Sikongo) for 7,500 beneficiaries.
- Kafulafuta Water Supply System Project: A flagship initiative with a capital investment of USD 449 million, targeting more than 1 million residents in Ndola, Luanshya, Mpongwe, and Masaiti.
Minister Nzovu concluded by reinforcing the Ministry’s dedication to a Zambia where no citizen is left behind.
“Whether it’s a borehole in a rural village or a large-scale urban water system, each intervention reflects progress, resilience, and the promise of a better Zambia. Clean and safe water is not a luxury—it is a basic human right. And today, we are making that right a reality for the people of Katete.”
The Ministry has called on all stakeholders—local authorities, communities, and partners—to join hands in safeguarding these newly commissioned boreholes and continuing the journey toward universal access to water and sanitation.
