Kauma WUA hailed for improving water supply

MALAWI: Kauma Area residents in Lilongwe city have hailed Kauma Water Users Association (WUA) for playing a big role in improving potable water supply through kiosks in the communities around Kauma area.

Speaking on Saturday during Kauma WUA 14th Annual General Meeting (AGM) which was held at Kauma WUA offices in Lilongwe, one of the Kauma residents, Christina Mchenga said that water supply has been improved in Kauma Township since the establishment of WUA in Kauma area.

“Before the coming of Kauma WUA there were water supply challenges in many communities in Kauma area and in my community women were fighting each other for water because we had one kiosk which was being used by almost everyone in the community.

“But now with the establishment of WUA in Kauma area water supply has completely improved in our community and the whole Kauma area at large since the association has facilitated the installation of water kiosks where people including women have easy access to potable water,” Mchenga said.

She added that the improvement of water supply in communities within Kauma area has assisted in promoting hygiene among people and this has helped in reducing waterborne diseases such as cholera amongst people in Kauma area.

“Since there were few water kiosks in Kauma area people were forced to draw water at the rivers and there were more cases of waterborne diseases including cholera among people.

“But now the story is different as cases of waterborne diseases in Kauma township have reduced since people are now using clean water,” She said.

In his remarks, Kauma WUA Board Chairperson, Senior Group Village Headman (SGVH) Kauma (Lebiam Maston) said that as an association they are committed to improving water supply in Kauma area.

“We are focused to bring change in as far as the water supply is concerned in Kauma area, as of now we have plans to add more water kiosks in the area,” he explained.

Currently, Kauma WUA has installed over 80 kiosks in Kauma area which provide potable water to about 50, 000 people in the area.