ADDIS ABABA – The Mekelle City Administration Water and Sewerage Bureau has announced a significant upgrade in water accessibility, increasing the daily production from 20,000 to 34,000 cubic meters.
In an interview with the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), the Bureau Head Ashenafi Abreha (PhD) shared that 38 waterholes have been drilled, with 31 currently operational. This initiative is aimed at alleviating the long-standing water scarcity in the city.
“Water production is our primary focus right now. We have implemented about half of our planned projects to tackle the water shortage, but challenges like material and energy shortages continue to hinder our progress,” Ashenafi explained.
He pointed out that the demand for water still far exceeds supply, with the city’s population requiring 120,000 cubic meters of water daily. The Ministry of Water and Energy has supported the efforts by providing 15 water-pumping machines, helping to boost the supply.
In addition, a dam currently under construction near the city is expected to ease the water shortage significantly once completed. As part of a broader strategy, the government is also drilling waterholes in rural areas to improve water accessibility across both urban and rural regions.
Ashenafi called for collaboration between partners and residents to address the ongoing water scarcity challenge. With 500 employees dedicated to drilling waterholes and installing pipelines, the Bureau has made substantial strides since last year, when only 16 waterholes were operational. The recent expansion to 34 waterholes is expected to significantly increase the city’s water supply and meet growing demand.
BY YESUF ENDRIS
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2024
