Residents claim water distribution selective
People in Chilobwe and Nkolokosa townships in Blantyre have complained that water bowsers from Blantyre Water Board (BWB) prioritise the board’s staff houses when delivering water instead of ordinary residences.
They have also complained that the water delivered is muddy.
One of the Chilobwe residents Lucy Phiri said in an interview on Saturday that they do not receive enough water.
“The water that is given to us is muddy and bowsers first go to deliver to BWB staff houses and the water that remains is the one that is given to us. Few people fetch water from the bowsers,” she said.
A Nkolokosa resident who refused to be named said ever since the board started delivering water through bowsers, she has never accessed the liquid claiming that those who have connection to the board are prioritised.
“I even lost interest because I have not benefitted from the system. Maybe you need to know someone from the [Blantyre] Water Board to access the water,” she said.
BWB Public Relations Officer Priscilla Mateyu dismissed the allegations insisting that the board prioritises its customers not staff members.
“We have a lot of bowsers going around town delivering water to all Blantyre residents regardless of whether they are staff or no staff.
“The water being delivered is clean and safe when in the water bowsers. However, the water can get contaminated as it is being fetched by customers. That is why we advise our customers to take precautionary measures like boiling or treating the water with water guard to avoid water borne diseases,” she said.
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