By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Mulonga Water Supply and Sanitation Company (MWSC) is concerned with the increasing incidents of encroachments on Company installations which have potential to cause loss of both human life and property.
MWSC Communications Manager Bright Mtonga said that encroachment is against the Law as stipulated in the Water Supply and Sanitation Act No 28 of 1997 which reads in part, “No person shall without authority, enter upon property vested in the Utility or Service Provider or interfere in anyway with its facilities.”
Mr Mtonga said that with the commencement of major construction works under the Zambia Water and Sanitation Project (ZWSP), MWSC has started facing challenges with properties which have been built along or too close to wayleaves meant for water and sanitation services.
“Some of the major works under the ZWSP are construction of five new water reservoirs, replacement of over 30 kilometers of rising main pipes, construction of over 40 kilometers of water network, rehabilitation of four sewer treatment ponds, construction of a new water treatment plant,” he said.
He said the Company is working with respective Municipalities to resolve the already existing challenges and ensure that future encroachments are prevented.
Mr Mtonga said members of the public are informed that MWSC will not compensate any individuals or organization who will incur damages or losses during expansion of water and sanitation infrastructure if their property encroaches on Company land or wayleave.
He said most water rising main pipes operate at high pressure which can cause damage to property in case of bursts and exposure to contaminated sewer effluent in cases of sewerage pipes.
Members of the public are advised against building on/or too close to water supply and sanitation installations to avoid potential calamity in case of accidents.
