Meru spring raises water supply hopes

MERU: EFFORTS to improve access to clean and safe water have received a boost following the identification of a spring in Kilinga Village, Songoroakiwa Ward, Arumeru District, which is now being assessed for possible public use.

The discovery prompted officials from the Moshi-based Pangani Basin Water Board (PBWB), led by Director Engineer Segule Ally Segule, to visit the spring recently.

Eng Segule said PBWB received information about the spring from Nkoanekoli Ward Councillor Nicodemus Mbise and learnt that local residents had preserved it for more than 60 years.

“What is encouraging is that this spring was known to local people for a long time and they protected it until village leaders recognised its importance as a potential source that could help improve access to safe water,” he said.

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He congratulated residents for what he described as patriotism in protecting water resources. Eng Segule said PBWB has started technical assessments to determine whether the spring is safe and suitable for public use.

“We are carrying out physical, chemical and biological tests in accordance with national water quality standards before any decision is made on its use,” he said.

A resident of Kilinga Village, Mr Elisonguo Shoo (79), said he discovered the spring in 1963 after being sent by his parents to wash coffee in a river during the dry season.

“I was surprised to see water continuing to flow in the forest when all the other rivers had dried up because it was during the dry season. That prompted me to trace the source of the water,” he said.