MALAWI: Solar-Powered Water Supply System Brings Relief to Kamwendo Community

By Smile Hamilton, Malawi 

The Kamwendo community in Traditional Authority Ndanga, Phalombe, has been struggling with a severe water shortage.

However, thanks to a solar-powered water supply system installed by the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma), the community now has access to clean and safe drinking water.

The system, which was installed as part of the Post Cyclone Idai Emergency Recovery project, uses solar power to pump water from a borehole to a storage tank.

The water is then distributed to the community through a network of pipes.

According to Blessings Mikeyasi, the chairperson of the Kamwendo Water Committee, the community is thrilled with the new water supply system.

“We are very happy with the system, which has brought an end to our water woes,” Mikeyasi said.

Moses Chimphepo, a senior official at Dodma, said that the department installed the system in response to the devastating effects of Cyclone Idai and Kenneth.

“We recognised the need for a reliable and sustainable water supply system in the area, and we are happy to have been able to provide one,” Chimphepo said.

The solar-powered water supply system has benefited over 21,107 people in the districts of Mulanje, Phalombe, Zomba, Chikwawa, and Nsanje.

The system is a welcome relief to the communities, who had been struggling to access clean and safe drinking water.