LWSC embarks on 2035 ambitious water coverage programme

By NATION REPORTER

THE Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company (LWSC) has stepped up efforts to resolve persistent water supply and sanitation issues in the capital city, announcing a series of emergency interventions, infrastructure upgrades and institutional reforms aimed at ensuring reliable service delivery across Lusaka.
With the capital and its surrounding areas struggling under the weight of growing population pressure, LWSC says it is implementing a comprehensive Water Supply Investment Master Plan and a Sanitation Master Plan. Both strategies aim to achieve 100 percent water and sanitation coverage in Lusaka Province by 2035.
According to the company, these master plans are already being translated into real-time projects and improvements on the ground through annual operational frameworks and strategic investment planning.
One of the flagship initiatives under the Lusaka Sanitation Programme is the expansion and modernisation of sewer infrastructure. In collaboration with ZEBRA Manufacturing, LWSC is currently relocating sewer pipelines near Parliament Motel and the Mass Media area – a project now 80 percent complete.
The aim is to eliminate long-standing public nuisances and improve wastewater flow. Additionally, sewer lines have been upgraded in Desai and Kaunda Square, while both Chipata Level One Hospital and Kanyama Level One Hospital have been connected to the main sewer network, reducing recurrent sanitation risks.Recognising the threat posed by power outages to sewer systems, LWSC has installed generators at key pumping stations to prevent overflows and ensure continued service.

In terms of water supply, the utility is rolling out several high-impact projects across the province. These include drilling 24 boreholes in selected communities, with an additional 20 boreholes being drilled in Matero and Kanyama constituencies.
In Garden Park, LWSC has constructed a 4.8 km water distribution network, a 350 cubic meter elevated steel tank, and installed over 400 household connections.
A similar facility has been developed in Makeni Villa, benefitting over 3, 000 households.
Through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), Phase I of the Bauleni Water Supply Improvement Project has been completed in Lusaka Central, while a water transmission line has been laid in Kabanana (Mandevu Constituency), and water kiosks established in Chinika (Kanyama Constituency). Phase II of the Bauleni project is currently underway with funding from the African Development Bank.
Other major infrastructure upgrades include a 4.5 km water supply network in Libala South, rehabilitation of a 4.5 km transmission pipeline along Airport Road, and a 2.4 km network upgrade in Luangwa’s Feira area.
In parallel with physical infrastructure investments, LWSC is focusing on institutional strengthening. This includes staff training and development, increased collaboration with technical experts and development partners, and securing higher budgetary allocations from government to close capital investment gaps.
Despite this progress, Lusaka still faces major service delivery deficits. The city’s average daily water demand stands at approximately 480, 000 cubic meters, yet the current production capacity is only about 250, 000 cubic meters. Bridging this gap will require an estimated US$1.28 billion in capital investment by 2035.