Nwasco - National Water Supply and Sanitation Council

Happy 2026 Africa Freedom Day

As we commemorate Africa Freedom Day, NWASCO reaffirms its commitment to assuring sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems as a foundation for achieving the aspirations of Agenda 2063 – The Africa We Want.
Access to clean water and dignified sanitation is not just a service, it is a driver of health, economic growth, environmental sustainability and human dignity for every African community.
Together, let us build a resilient Africa where no one is left behind.

✅ Water Security
✅ Safe Sanitation
✅ Inclusive Growth
✅ Sustainable Future

NWASCO- Ensuring Better Services and Fair Value

Congratulations to our Research & Resource Center Information Officer, Mr. Chrispin Lukwanda, on successfully graduating with a Master of Science Degree in Sanitation from the University of Zambia.

Your dedication to academic excellence and the water supply and sanitation sector is truly inspiring.

We are proud of this remarkable achievement and wish you success as you continue to make a positive contribution to improving water supply and sanitation services in Zambia.
Congratulations

Congratulations to our Consumer Affairs Officer, Mrs. Ruth Mwiinga on graduating with a Masters Degree in Mass Communication from the University of Zambia.
Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to professional growth are truly inspiring. This achievement is a testament to your perseverance and passion for excellence. We are proud to celebrate this remarkable milestone with you and wish you continued success in all your future endeavors.
Congratulations 🙌🏾

Honouring Service, Advancing the Water Agenda

NWASCO this morning joined the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation Zambia in attending the Minister of Water Development and Sanitation Eng. Collins Nzovu's farewell address, marking the conclusion of a significant chapter in the sector.

In his remarks, the Honourable Minister of Water Development and Sanitation Eng. Collins Nzovu expressed deep gratitude to His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema for the opportunity to serve and paid tribute to the collective efforts of ministry staff and stakeholders whose dedication has driven progress in water supply, sanitation services and national resilience.

The address highlighted key achievements made through collaboration across the sector, while emphasizing the importance of continued integrity, professionalism and commitment to service delivery for the people of Zambia.

NWASCO acknowledges the Minister’s leadership and contributions to advancing the water and sanitation agenda and remains committed to strengthening regulation and supporting sustainable service provision.

We wish him well in his future endeavors.

Celebrating Excellence in Zambia’s Water Sector

We launched the 2025 Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Report on Monday 27th April 2026 at a colorful event graced by the Minister of Water Development and Sanitation Honourable Collins Nzovu M.P.

Below are the recognition awards

Top Honors

Best Performing Commercial Utility: Mulonga Water Supply and Sanitation Company (MWSC)

Runner-Up: Southern Water Supply and Sanitation Company

Most Improved: Nkana Water Supply and Sanitation Company

Excellence Awards

Water Quality: Eastern Water Supply and Sanitation Company (EWSC)

Metering Ratio: Luapula Water Supply and Sanitation Company, North Western Water Supply and Sanitation Company & Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company (LWSC)

Water Service Coverage: Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company

Sanitation Service Coverage: Mulonga Water Supply and Sanitation Company and Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company

Hours of Supply: Kafubu Water Supply Company (KWSC)

Staff Efficiency: Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company

Collection Efficiency: Western Water Supply and Sanitation Company (WWSC) and Nkana Water Supply and Sanitation Company

O&M Cost Coverage: Southern Water Supply Company (SWSC) and Nkana Water Supply and Sanitation Company (NWSC)

Congratulations to the winners and thank you for your dedication, innovation and commitment to improving water and sanitation services across Zambia.

You can download the report here : https://www.nwasco.org.zm/index.php/media-center/publications/water-supply-and-sanitation-sector-reports?task=download.send&id=119&catid=12&m=0

Zambia Reaffirms Commitment to Universal Water Access by 2030

Lusaka, April 27, 2026 — The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving universal access to safe water and sanitation by 2030.

Speaking during the Water Supply and Sanitationn Sector Report Launch last evening, Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, Eng. Collins Nzovu, said the sector has continued to make progress despite mounting challenges, including climate change, rapid urbanisation and ageing infrastructure.

The Minister highlighted that Zambia is working towards 100 percent water supply coverage and 90 percent sanitation access by 2030, in line with national development priorities and Sustainable Development Goal 6.

He noted that recent drought conditions, declared a national disaster in 2024, had significantly impacted water availability but also prompted decisive government action.

“As part of the drought response, over 718 dams have undergone maintenance, major rehabilitation works have been completed on key infrastructure and more than 200 boreholes have been drilled across affected areas,” he said.

According to the Minister, these interventions are expected to benefit over two million people, particularly in drought-affected communities.

He further revealed that government has developed a comprehensive Drought Response Plan, alongside a National Rainwater Harvesting Strategy, aimed at strengthening water security and resilience.

Despite these gains, the Minister acknowledged persistent sector challenges, including non-revenue water levels exceeding 50 percent, vandalism of infrastructure and pollution of water sources.

He emphasised the need for enhanced efficiency among commercial utilities and called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to address these issues.

“Reducing non-revenue water is critical to ensuring the financial sustainability of utilities and improving service delivery,” he said.

The Minister also announced the launch of the Ministry’s Change Management and Gender Strategy and Implementation Plan, describing it as a key step towards strengthening institutional performance and improving service delivery.

In addition, government continues to implement policy and legal reforms, including the National Water Policy of 2024 and ongoing revisions to key water sector legislation.

On public health, the Minister noted that strengthened interventions in water, sanitation and hygiene have contributed to preventing cholera outbreaks during the current season.

He further highlighted the importance of cost-reflective tariffs to sustain infrastructure development, while balancing affordability for citizens.

The Minister called on all stakeholders, including cooperating partners and the public, to support government efforts in protecting water infrastructure and promoting responsible water use.

The annual sector report provides a comprehensive assessment of the performance of water and sanitation service providers and serves as a key accountability tool for the sector.

What a milestone moment!

The 2025 Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Report Launch was nothing short of impactful , bringing together leaders, partners and changemakers committed to strengthening Zambia’s water and sanitation sector.

From the awards, this event highlighted the progress we have made and the work that still lies ahead.

We are proud to be part of a sector that continues to transform lives through improved access to clean water and sanitation services.

📸 Here are some highlights from the day:

MULONGA WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION COMPANY EMERGES BEST COMMERCIAL UTILITY FOR 2025

Lusaka, 28th April 2026—Mulonga Water Supply and Sanitation Company (MWSC) has been ranked Zambia’s Best-Performing Commercial Utility for 2025, according to the latest 2025 Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Report released by the National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO).

The annual performance ranking evaluates Commercial Utilities against key sector benchmarks, including non-revenue water, metering ratio, water quality, service coverage, hours of supply, staff efficiency, collection efficiency and operation and maintenance cost coverage by collection.

Southern Water Supply and Sanitation company (SWSC) scooped the second position while Nkana Water Supply and Sanitation Company (NWSC) was recognized as the Most Improved Commercial Utility for 2025, demonstrating significant progress across multiple performance indicators with minimal downward trends.

Category-specific awards highlighted strong performance across the sector. Eastern Water Supply and Sanitation Company (EWSC) excelled in water quality, while Luapula (LPWSC) , North Western Water Supply and Sanitation Company (NWWSSC) and Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company(LWSC) led in metering ratio.

MWSC and LWSC stood out in sanitation service coverage, Kafubu Water Supply and Sanitation Company(KWSC) in hours of supply, LWSC in staff efficiency. Western and Nkana Water Supply and Sanitation Company(NWSC) and WWSC led in collection efficiency while Southern Water Supply and Sanitation Company (SWSC) and NWSC took lead in operation and maintenance cost coverage by collection.

The awards were announced during the official launch of the 2025 Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Report officiated by the Minister of WaterDevelopment and Sanitation Honourable Collinss Nzovu , held yesterday at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, Kenneth Kaunda Wing.

In addition to recognizing Commercial Utilities, NWASCO honoured outstanding contributions from Chief Executive Officers. Ndililakulampa Malambo of MWSC was awarded Best Chief Executive Officer, followed by Gift Monde of SWSC and Joe Mbewe of KWSC. Under the Water Stewardship Awards, NWSC took first position, while SWSC secured second place.

In the media category, Zipporah Mushala of Zambia Daily Mail was awarded Best Print Journalist, with Mary Ndhlovu of ZANIS taking second place. Mercy Mulenga of Yar FM received the Best Radio Journalist award, followed by Phyllis Sitenge of Faith Radio. Fortune Malata of ZNBC TV was recognized as Best Television Journalist.

NWASCO continues to publish the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Report annually to provide a comprehensive assessment of the performance of service providers and to promote transparency, accountability and continuous improvement in the sector.
Background

NWASCO is mandated by the Water Supply and Sanitation Act No. 28 of 1997 to regulate the provision of water supply and sanitation services in Zambia.

Issued by:

Mrs. Mpunga Chipepo Simukwai
Corporate Affairs Manager

Mulonga Water Supply and Sanitation Company Ltd Nkana Water Supply And Sanitation Company Ltd. North Western Water Supply & Sanitation Company Limited Western Water & Sewerage Company LTD Kafubu Water & Sanitation Company Limited Eastern Water and Sanitation Company Limited Lusaka Water Supply & Sanitation Company Southern Water and Sanitation Company Luapula Water Supply and Sanitation Company Limited Chambeshi Water Supply and Sanitation Company Lukanga Water Supply & Sanitation Company Limited