The Zambia Demographic Health Survey (ZDHS) report for 2007 has revealed that only about 41 percent of the total population has access to clean water.
The report reveals that households in urban areas have access to improved water supply sources compared to those in rural areas.
According to the report 83 % of urban households have access to clean and safe piped water compared to only about 19% of protected dug well of rural households.
It has also explained that more than 56 percent of the total population draws their water from unimproved sources which includes unprotected dug well, rivers and dams among others.
The report further adds that 65 % of households do not treat their water, while only 34% use an appropriate method of treating water.
And launching the report in Lusaka today Health Minster Kapembwa Simbao said the report will assist government in evaluating what is needed in attaining the Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) in health related issues and the Fifth National Development Plan (FNDP).
Mr. Simbao further added that the report will play a vital role in providing people with information on both human and public heath.
ZANIS/MM/MKM/ENDS
OK. LT please remove that horrible smiley.
I believe in the forgiveness of sin and the redemption of ignorance.
Ignorance of certain subjects is a great part of wisdom.
41% is very low
yes it is and very unacceptable….thats the source of all these water borne diseases like cholera and dysentery. Having clean water is very important and it cannot be substituted for anything. we need to have a ministry of water and sanitation affairs that will concentrate it’s efforts on clean drinking water and other related issues, so that we do not have cholera on top of AIDS ravaging and wiping out people.
You are right undertaker. 41 % is very low for a nation like Zambia, with only a population of 12 million.What is going to happen as the population grows? We are not supposed to be proud of meager strides in this time and era.
Survivor of the fittest !! As usual.
So we are talking about 6 Million not having access to clean water? Most of these cases being in rural areas, very far away from civilized Lusaka. Local governments have stopped applying for funds to improve the situation. Lusaka seems to be very far and unreachable. This is the real Zambia, out there in the rural areas where we expect agriculture to manifest. What a paradox !! We are simply asking for harvest from areas where people luck clean water. Policy makers make me stressed out ~X(
Infact its less than 41%. Do you think the piped water in Lusaka is ‘clean’?
It is clean for african standards. Take the samples to some lab here in europe or even in africa.
What a shame really.
Europe sucks!
LT please take that teeth off the website….its horrible and ruins my day on the web..i know that how you make money, but the message it has sent is clear right now..thanks
Bloggers that is not true, we drink very dirty water pa Zed.We keep boiling water to have safe water to drink. yaba water works does not treat water for consumption to standard **==
With all the rains there is truly no need for dirty water. Water works much also be a corrupt sector. Some swimming pool water is even much healthier.
Well at least we know the statistics now. I’ve spent so much time researching for these figures. Thanks LT!
Why ain’t I surprised? That is a manifestation of mismanagement of the grandest order over the years. Prepare for more hard times ahead, and please do not express your shock at such matters, it is not rocket science… Mismanagement = poverty it is as simple as that
Sad reading indeed , when you come to think of the Constitution of water in our bodies that, 60 % of our total body is water. Yet less than half the population of Zambians are free from drinking contaminated water. What are the dreaded repercussions ? diarrhea diseases that will cause death due to dehydration. solutions ,we train more water engineers , environmental officers , technicians and technologists. My thoughts .
Very good thoughts indeed and noted.
Safe drinking water attainment still alludes many Zambians.
Zambia has still far to go to achieve a 50% population gaining safe and clean drinking wate.
Sad state of affair.
COMMUNICATIONS and transport minister Dora Siliya on Thursday said she did not think it was necessary to obtain official receipts for the funds advanced to Petauke Council because she was in a hurry.
(Read more…from the post)
Dora Chiwelewele sana.Petauke council is the poorest managed council in Zambia, whilst these are the people who put her into power..
This is abuse of authority. Bupupu/bukawalala sana uyu. No official receipts for funds/cash advanced?
What type of a leader is this, that does not abide to accountability as one of leadership qualities?
Dora must go to jail!
I think clean water access is a problem almost everywhere in the world even in Australia, one has to be very careful if you are to drink water from the tap many people would rather a have a different outlet(pipe) for pure water or buy pure water(mineral water). And please LT. Put reasonable pictures of late you are just putting pictures of poverty on the Main page. What is your motivation by doing So.We appreciate the news but you must be cautious with what you are putting.
Dora said she did not think it was necessary to obtain official receipts for the funds she advanced Petauke Council “because she was in a hurry”. Well, we now know the real reason why, she advanced one amount and claimed double. That’s why she did not have qualms with the double falling short by k5,000.
Just wait and here RB say to the sleeping nation that she is doing a commendable job “remember”?
This makes sad reading. Forty five years after independence and still no water for majority of households! Can you imagine how many boreholes can be drilled from the money used to send half the cabinet to Morning side clinic for ear operations, sagging bellies, inflamed tounges, painful waists, weak hearts etc…?
I dont agree, only 20% of the population have access to CLEAN water not 41%.
Don’t you learned dudes say water is life? 59% of the population wallowing in water that is not smart and threatened by water bourn diseases; indeed about 40years of independence? Japan has developed technologies to purify salty water from the ocean for its population. Our water is naturally flesh and just passes by – underground and in rivers. Are we waiting for JICA sponsored projects from Japan to do everything for us.The MDGs and the Fifth National Development Plan (FNDP) are adopted policies. Do they even marry with the Govt’s manifesto. Perhaps its time for the dysfunctional Engineering Institute of Zambia join hands with relevant Ministries and wake up. Invent and innovate
Shaka #12… Just wait and here RB tell the sleeping nation in deep slumber that Dora is doing a commendable job “remember”?
L.T please every time you come across injustice in the zed, get the worst pictures at your disposal and post them. Am sure you’ve read some of the postings imploring you not to post those heart breaking pix. I remember debating with someone on the blogg defending the president and Vice commanding Dora, that she was doing an impressive job. Maybe such postings of pix will awake these guys. As the saying goes a picture is worth a thousand words and that spells mismanagement for Zambia
Am sure some of those kids are either drop outs or have never set a foot in a classroom. L.T could also find a picture of one of there classroom, and I assure my fellow bloggers, that classroom will be a microcosm of 95% of schools in the Zed.
how about making it 100 %
Laughable as usual for mother Zed. Compare: 85% access in 19yrs of indep. for Namibia
4vCnjE comment6 ,
Perfect site, i like it!
It is the coolest site, keep so!
I am Chinese and will be in Zambia next week. I keep focusing on the water problem in Zambia and this trip I want to make a pure water factory around Lusaka. Hope it will be successful and can help people a little bit more.