Besides the Water Works Act of 1995 stating that Water Boards in Malawi are responsible for managing sewer systems, the Parliamentary committee of natural resources convinced officials from different water boards in the country, to manage sewer systems.

The development marks the end of  a lengthy disagreement as the boards did not take responsibility for the systems, as the boards forwarded the responsibility to local government. “All along there have been squabbles between the Ministry of Local Government and water boards over who was responsible” said Chairperson of the committee, Werani Chilenga.

The committee met board officials in Lilongwe last Thursday, to end the disagreements and assign the responsibility to the boards. On the other hand, the Director of Water Supply and Sanitation in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Emma Mbalame, said that the boards must follow the Act, as well as instructions by the Ministry of Justice.