The NGO's in advocacy work need to take the issue of water shortage seriously. Let them advocate for this. maybe Governemnt will listen

Certainly, I agree! I think we should have more voices from the NGOs. MHEN is in health advocacy, MEJN is in economic advocacy, do we have any NGO's on water and sanitation out there?

I think boreholes are not allowed to be drilled in cities for some reason (health aspect?)

It is unfortunate, in my view, that the gravity fed option for Blantyre was shot down. I understand from the feasibility studies done by some specialist concluded that the Mulanje/Ruo option is not the best option. I strongly support Ben's idea that the Mulanje option be relooked at. This would be a long term solution to the water problem. Actually Zomba had the same problems untill Mulunguzi dam was constructed.

considering the persistent water crisis in many parts of BT, it is reasonable to consider drilling the boreholes. However the boreholes should not be individualized (sunk per household) otherwise we will flood the city with boreholes. instead the boreholes should be run as communal water kiosks. I guess this could complement well the piped water system which is indidually connected/used.

I agree with the idea of exploring a more gravity-fed water system and indeed I also remain optimistic that some of the large conglomerates like Press Corporation can invest in water projects through the public-private sector partership (PPP) arrangements. For instance, Press Corp. can invest in the physical infrastructure i.e. dams and feeder piper works from the dam(s); and BWB can manage the local distribution and pay Press Corp fees for accessing the facility or even repay Press Corp on agreed terms, assuming it  was a loan facility i.e. a bond or long term loan arrangement.
We need BWB to start thinking strategically beyond Walkers Ferry..the board can even construct huge dams that can also generate some electricity- innovation is a key in resolving most of these challenges.
NB: we also need the government to be talking to companies like Press Corp.; reminding them of the responsibility they have to the country and the economy, despite their profit-oriented objectives as a private sector company.

I like Khumbos idea of involving PCL since unlike the multinational companies whose involvement have in most cases raised the price of water, PCL is mainly Malawian and it's operations may be easily regulated by the government. But the question is: If PCL can do it, why can't BWB do it?

I am totally against the idea of privatising water for one reason:
Water (safe  water) if a human right and as such it has to be accessed by all at an affordable rate. Being a right the state has primary duty to ensure that this right is respected, protected and fulfilled. Privatisation will limit fulfilment, protection and respect for this right beacsue those involde will only pay attention towards making manoey, and we all know how business people sometimes conduct. I am afraid the right to safe and portable water should not be put in the hands of merchants, let the government manage this right.
My take is that government has to drill boreholes as an interim measure, in terms of long term I suggest that government and Bt water board have to overhaul the current water supply system, this should be done in phases. It will also be good to learn (through research)from other countries which have better water supply sytem in their cities. On the smae note ESCOM too have to compliment this effort because Bt water board also depends on ESCOM in some way. So hence the overhauling has to be an intergrated one.
 

Exaclty that's the question: if PCL can do it why can't BWB do it? BWB has to do it, am sure it has the capacity and experience to do it. If they doubt their abiity let them say so!!!
Yes PCL is not a multinational but they have the same goal with the former, and that is to make profit. If they do not make profit out of it guess what will happen? Close down business or sale the business all together and the implication of this is pervasive: right to water will be at ransom, and right to life is at stake.

I agree with Jonh in the protection of this human right.

However, on the issue of boreholes I recall as a student at Poly we formed an organisation called Youth Initiative for Water Development (YIWAD). As one of its interventions we sourced funds to drill a number of boreholes in low income locations like Makhetha, Mbayani and Ndirande. We were stopped before we even started because we were told that it is against the city by-laws to drill boreholes within the city. The reason is purely on health grounds based on filtration and theissue of contaminate ground water in the city.

Since according to me the question of Mulanje Mountain is out, I feel there is need to restructure BWB so that they execute their duties efficiently and effectively. I dont see any reason why the old water system that was put in place by atsamunda should still be in existence. Over these years BWB has been collecting money but have not reinvested it in their core business sothey have ended up in a corner as the demand has gone up many times their capacity. So whether it means making some heads roll at the parastatal or employ people who can bring sanity to the company is up to them..

Much as I appreciate that Blantyre has a persistent water problem, I would squarely put the blame on BWB. Every time there is a power outage, people do not have water from their taps and they [BWB]  blame it on ESCOM. How can a big parastatal fail to instal a Genset at the intake to take care of the power failure? I think guys at BWB are not innovative. ZAIN and TNM do have stand bye generators to power their towers. Why cant they borrow a leaf from these guys?

I totally agree with you on this one Mike, since Mulunguzi Dam is already tried and tested then it would be easier to venture into this altenative. It should not be very expensive to interconnect or let alone lay fresh pipes for a 60 something distance.

 Hie all,
I appreciate  comments made  and I agree with most of them.  My question to the network administrators  and  fellow  concerned citizens is who is listening to our debates?   How do we summarise our promising proposals and forward them  to concerned leadership. Is it possible to know some  basic strategic information about institutions we  discuss so that we are focussed  and relavant. We also need means of getting feedback from  concerned  institutions to create  a lively and two  two way communication. How can we interact with them  so that these debates can bring improvements in the delivery of social and economic services.
 
 Mwale

COMMENT FROM CHITENJE PHIRI.

This comment appeared in the member emails circulation. I am pasting it here for purposes of debate.

Its true l was unable to put more comments on the issue as l was accessing the information on the mobile phone internet. Now here we go, my main emphasis is on the the issue of scarcity of water in Cities of Lilongwe, Blantyre and Mzuzu, I remember some 15 years ago when l was staying in Zomba water was a problem and some people could go some days without taking a proper bath, after vigorous research Mulunguzi Dam was constracted and here were are Zomba do not face serious water problems as it used to be.

Now my point is government is keeping of calling investors to come to Malawi to invest in various fields of trade and industry hence bringing in a lot of people to settle and work in these major cities, now what is the government thinking of these water shortage? My idea is that government should set aside or seek funding from major donors immediately so that we build at least two major dams in each of these Cities as to end this water problem, for example some places in Chirimba, Bangwe just to mention a few are going towards a third week without running water, is this health to the nation and its people?
Of course some NGOs with funding from other countries are putting up water koisks but are these kiosk going to save all the people of Blantyre for example, remember they can not put kiosks in each and every location in the city.

Therefore my plea to the government to find the lasting solution to this water problem. Finally as you might recall last year it was embarrassing to see the whole of Mount Soche Hotel without water for some days yet it accommodate VIPS
Clement