By Wezzie Gausi:
Prolonged water shortages in Lilongwe have disrupted daily life in several townships, with some residents going for up to seven days without running water amid growing concerns over public health.
The shortages have affected several areas, including Area 36, Manda Road, Kaphiri, Bypass Zamkutu, Area 23, Chiuzira and Kawale 2.
The Consumers Association of Malawi (Cama) has called on affected residents to hold vigils at Lilongwe Water Board (LWB) offices until normal water supply is restored.
Cama Executive Director John Kapito said consumers should collectively demand their right to clean and safe water.
“The time has come for consumers to start fighting for their own rights rather than waiting for help from somewhere,” Kapito said.
He described the shortages as a public health emergency, warning that prolonged interruptions could force households to rely on unsafe water sources and compromise sanitation.
“When water stops for five days, it is not an inconvenience. It is a health emergency. Clinics cannot function, children cannot go to school, and families are forced to drink unsafe water,” Kapito said.
Health rights activist Maziko Matemba also warned that the shortages pose public health risks, particularly in densely populated townships.
Matemba said residents could be forced to use unprotected shallow wells and streams, exposing them to waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid.
He said Lilongwe requires between 157,000 and 175,000 cubic metres of water daily, against a production capacity of about 125,000 cubic metres.
Meanwhile, residents have expressed frustration over the continued interruptions, questioning why they must pay water bills despite unreliable supply.
“We have stayed for days without water, and nobody is telling us exactly what is happening. We are paying water bills every month, but we cannot access the water we are paying for. This is becoming unbearable,” Michael Phiri of Area 36 said.
In a public notice issued on October 10, 2026, LWB acknowledged water supply interruptions in parts of Areas 4, 6, 15 and 32, attributing them to delays in completing interconnection works near Total Filling Station at Constantini.