BWB APOLOGISES FOR ERRATIC WATER SUPPLY: SAYS PROBLEM TO CONTINUE TILL JANUARY 2015

Blantyre Water Board (BWB) has apologized for the erratic water supply situation within the water supply area. The situation has been so due to inadequate production capacity of the plant that does not meet demand currently. Furthermore, the situation has been worsened with a number of shutdowns that are currently being undertaken in order to allow for replacement of old pumping equipment with new ones under the upgrading projects currently underway.

The Board would like to further inform the general public that the situation has worsened further with the drying up of Mudi Dam that has resulted in stoppage of production from Mudi Treatment Plant, consequently resulting in reduction of the total production capacity by about 10%.

This means that the Board is currently only relying on water produced from Walkers Ferry on the Shire River to serve all areas within the water supply area.

The Board therefore would like to inform the customers that there would be continued water shortages till mid January 2015 as to when some of the projects currently underway would be commissioned. The situation may improve earlier than that if rains could start soon and thereby able to get adequate levels in the Mudi Dam. In this regard, some areas will continue experiencing low pressures while others no water at all at times especially those in Limbe, Chiradzulu and Bvumbwe.

Customers are therefore requested to store water and use it sparingly. Use of siphons is strongly prohibited and those found will be liable for prosecution. Blantyre Water Board regrets any inconvenience this may cause.