Water consumers in Mansa vandalizing prepaid meters risk poisoning

Some consumers in Mansa are vandalising their water prepaid meters and in the process end up drinking unsafe water from shallow wells.

The National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO) has therefore urged the Luapula Water Supply and Sanitation Company (LpWSC) to sensitise its consumers on the use of prepaid meters.

Kelvin Chitumbo NWASCO Director raised concerns that some consumers in Mansa were not aware on the functionality of their prepaid meters, such as loading units.

According to Chitumbo in a statement issued on Monday, this had led to some consumers vandalising their prepaid meters and resorting to unsafe water sources from shallow wells.

“There are various ongoing projects in Mansa, Kawambwa, Mwense and Samfya Districts that are aimed at improving water supply and sanitation but it is the responsibility of Luapula Water Supply and Sanitation Company to not only educate its consumers on the safe use of the facilities being installed but to also engage consumers on the general expectations of the projects,” he said.

Chitumbo also said the inspection conducted by NWASCO revealed that some consumers, particularly in Mansa, had a culture of meter theft, vandalism and by-pass of meters which needed to be changed.

NWASCO undertook the LpWSC annual inspection from the 9th to the 13th of January, 2023

“Consumers are urged to take responsibility for their water supply and sanitation infrastructure. The Commercial Utility firm needs to engage the community and possibly law enforcement agencies in order to curb the rampant water thefts in the district,” Chitumbo said.

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