𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐀 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬’ 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

The Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) today hosted the 2025 Drillers Stakeholder Engagement Forum at Government Complex in Lusaka, bringing together licensed drillers, constructors, engineers, and sector partners to discuss ways of strengthening groundwater protection and improving standards in drilling activities.

The event was officiated by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, Eng. Romas Kamanga, who reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the sustainable management of Zambia’s groundwater resources. He called for professionalism, responsibility, and strict adherence to national standards, emphasizing that groundwater is a vital national asset that must be protected from contamination, unsafe drilling, and unregulated abstraction.

Speaking at the engagement, WARMA Acting Director General, Mrs. Misozi Ngulube-Lumpa, acknowledged that the sector has recorded significant improvements since the introduction of Statutory Instrument No. 20 of 2018, the Groundwater and Boreholes Regulations. Boreholes are increasingly constructed according to approved standards, contributing to safer water supplies and more reliable services for communities.

At the same time, Mrs. Ngulube-Lumpa highlighted persistent issues that continue to pose risks to the public, including dry and collapsing boreholes, incomplete works, and drilling activities that do not fully comply with required standards. Some boreholes are still sited without proper assessment, drilled to insufficient depths, or constructed without adequate casing and sanitary protection. She stressed that such practices compromise water safety, cause financial losses, and can damage groundwater systems over time.

Mrs. Ngulube-Lumpa called on all licensed drillers to take full responsibility for their work, ensure adherence to required standards, submit Borehole Completion Reports (BCRs), and work closely with WARMA to safeguard communities and groundwater resources. She warned that persistent non-compliance will result in enforcement action, including suspension or revocation of drilling licences.

The Acting Director General also appealed to the general public to engage only licensed drillers and to ensure that their boreholes are registered with WARMA. She emphasized that borehole registration is free and essential for effective monitoring, informed national planning, long-term water security, and protection from contamination.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Ngulube-Lumpa revealed that since the introduction of the 2018 Regulations, WARMA has processed more than 89,000 Notices to Drill and registered more than 49,000 boreholes nationwide. As of 2025, the Authority has licensed 148 drilling companies.

WARMA reaffirmed its commitment to working with drillers, engineers, and other stakeholders involved in water works to maintain high standards, strengthen compliance, and ensure that communities across Zambia have access to safe and reliable water.