By Martin Chiwanda

Machinga, April 24, Mana: Southern Region Water Board (SRWB) has installed submersible water pumps at Shire River intake at Liwonde in Machinga to sustain water supply to a population of over 70, 000 following the swelling of the river which has submerged its initial plant house at Kamuzu Barrage in the district.

Speaking on Tuesday, SRWB Liwonde Zone Manager, Nzeru Banda said the board organized a media tour so that consumers should appreciate supply capacity of the newly installed pumps

He added that the newly installed machines have increased water supply from 1,800 cubic meters per day to 2,500 cubic meters per day.

“As a board, after noticing that our main intake has been submerged in water, we thought it wise that we install submersible water pumps so that the water supply should not be challenged in such situations. The newly installed water pumps have increased water supply to 2,500 cubic meters per day from the initial 1,800 cubic meters per day,” Banda said.

He disclosed that SRWB was geared to roll out the Liwonde-Balaka Water Supply Project this July with funds from European Investment Bank (EIB) to upgrade water intake at the Liwonde Barrage.

“Once the project completed, it will serve 400 000 people in Liwonde and Balaka with a water supply capacity of 10 000 cubic meters pay day,” said Banda.