By MILDRED KATONGO –

SOME residents of Masala Township in Ndola have bemoaned the continuous blockage of the main sewer system that is posing a health risk to them.
For many months, they have been subjected to a disturbing stench as the underground pipes for carrying off drainage water and waste matter are in a poor state.
The residents have accused the local authority and Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company (KWSC) of failing to rehabilitate the broken down sewer system.
Diarrhoea and other waterborne diseases in the area are rampant and sending panic waves in the residents.
Rhoda Banda, a Masala resident, attributed the increased cases of diarrhoea and other waterborne diseases to the collapsed sewer system.
Ms Banda said the residents were forced to pay K1 to use lavatories at bars and taverns because of the dilapidated state of the sewer network in the area.
She said the system collapsed a long time ago, and accused the water utility company of failing to work on it.
“We have a problem here in Masala; our sewer network has broken down, and as we speak the sewer water just flows across the township.
“We are subjected to this stench every day. Apart from that, we have diarrhoea cases all the time,” she said.
KWSC public relations officer, Margaret Zulu said about US$1.4 million has been allocated to Masala Township to rehabilitate and replace 16 kilometres of the old sewer network and other works.
Ms Zulu said the money was part of the $104 million funding from Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) which is aimed at improving water and sanitation in the three districts  – Ndola, Luanshya and Masaiti – where KWSC operates.
She said the contractors were already on site to establish detailed designs before they embark on the project to overhaul the sewer system.
Ms Zulu said that works would include replacement and rehabilitation of the obsolete pipes and other works that would improve sanitation in the area.
“Indeed the sewer network in Masala has collapsed and it is due to several factors which include the sewer line being old, vandalism and lack of proper care of the sanitation facilities. The population has also increased.
“Government sourced some funds from DANIDA to work on the water and sanitation reticulation project under KWSC. Out of the $104 million, Masala has been allocated $1.4 million to replace the sewer network,” she said.
Ms Zulu said the water utility had also conducted meetings with members the community to encourage them to cooperate when the rehabilitation project starts.
She also urged the residents to be responsible and take care of the facilities after they have been replaced.