Chris Ahimbisibwe
25 October 2009
Kampala — BUSHENYI district authorities are worried about the rate at which the water table is declining. Several water sources are drying up, putting the future of the population at stake.
The assistant officer in charge of water supply, Godfrey Butegeinye, said sources which used to yield two litres per second have declined to one litre.
Presenting a report on operation and
maintenance of water and sanitation facilities at Katungu Mothers Union Hall recently, Butegeinye said they would compile a list of the affected sources for geologists to study.
He said environmental degradation and poor community maintenance was the cause of the decline.
He also said eucalyptus trees were contributing to the problem. "The situation is worse in areas where eucalyptus has been planted," he added.
But Cyril Mugyenyi, the district head of natural resources, blamed it on draining of wetlands, poor land use practices and the changing climate.
The report reveals that out of 2,201 springs, 1,590 are operational; while of 252 shallow wells, 175 function.
Furthermore, out of 2,199 gravity flow scheme taps, and 200 pumped water taps, 2,076 and 174 respectively are operational.
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