Govt launches national water conservation drive to address shortages

The government has launched the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector National Water Conservation Campaign to combat Zambia’s ongoing water shortage crisis.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka on Wednesday, Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, Collins Nzovu, stressed the urgency of addressing the country’s water challenges.

Nzovu highlighted several strategies being explored by the government, including enhancing water infrastructure development, promoting water-efficient technologies, and implementing inter-basin water transfers (IBWTs).

“On August 28, 2025, the government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a comprehensive water management plan for the Kafue Catchment and explore the Luapula-Kafue bulk water transfer project,” Nzovu said.

He called on stakeholders to support these initiatives as the government moved forward with implementation.

At the same briefing, Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people raised concerns about the dire water situation in his village, where dams are drying up and there was a shortage of boreholes.

“People will die if the government doesn’t speed up the process of installing boreholes,” Chief Mpezeni warned.

The traditional ruler also expressed frustration over villagers ignoring orders to stop burning bushes, noting that it had left cattle without food.

“There is no food left for the cattle in the village because people have continued burning bushes,” he added.

He also called for stronger collaboration between traditional leaders and the government to address these challenges.

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