Water shortages in Maputo & Matola and how they impact consumers’ daily lives – Mozambique

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Water shortages in Maputo & Matola and how they impact consumers’ daily lives – Mozambique

12:38 CAT | 06 Feb 2017

O País

With barrels on head, in vehicles or on handcarts, residents are being forced to travel long distances to find water because of supply restrictions in Maputo and Matola.

The problem has dragged on since the beginning of the year, and to manage the problem, the Maputo Water distribution company has announced the supply of water on alternate days.

Even so, locals say that water barely flows from their taps, and that in fact they sometimes go four to five days without water supply.

Sometimes, residents say, when there is water, it is only for a short period of time and not enough to fill their tanks. O País reports this scenario on Saturday in the Aeroporto, Mavalane, Polana Caniço and Maxaquene neighbourhoods in the capital.

Because of the restrictions the residents of some neighbourhoods are having to buy water, and conscientious use is the byword everywhere. “In my house, I recommend conscientious water use. We only use it when it is really necessary because getting water is difficult here in the neighbourhood,” Mavalane resident Ana Paula says.

The supply crisis began in the first week of January as a result of low water levels in the Umbeluzi river Pequenos Libombos dam following poor rainfall. This dam supplies water to about 250,000 families in the cities of Maputo, Matola and Boane.

Government considers the situation critical

Water flow in the Umbeluzi river has been increasing in Maputo, but authorities say this is not happening sufficiently quickly, and classifies the situation as critical, with the Minister of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources saying on Friday that restrictions on water distribution to Maputo, Matola and Boane regions would continue.

“The Pequenos Libombos reservoir situation is still critical despite some increase in water levels. That is why the restrictions will continue. The rainy season ends in March, but until then we’ll wait and see what happens. The problem is that in the south we have had little rain. But for now we are simply managing the availability of existing water,” Carlos Bonete explained.

According to Bonete, Mozambique has been helped by some countries in the region, although themselves in crisis situation, accepting the need to share river water supply.

Source: O País