Busia Deputy Governor Moses Mulomi has urged County residents to protect water catchment areas.
He said several catchment areas have been degraded.
Speaking at Amagoro Primary School in Teso North on during the 13th Nile Day celebrations, Mulomi said most parts of the county are faced with severe water shortage.
“There is need to protect catchment areas to ensure smooth flow of water,” he said.
He added that the water challenges facing the county will end once plans by the national government in partnership with development partners and county government are concluded.
Mulomi said the planned projects include Malaba Water and Sewerage, Kocholia Multipurpose Dam, Ang’olol Dam and Mt. Elgon Gravity Scheme.
Water Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui said the advent of climate change coupled with rapid human population in the Nile River Basin has led to degradation of catchment areas.
He said there is also increased water demand and occurrence of hydrological extremes (floods and droughts) resulting in water scarcity hence threatening livelihoods in the ecosystem.
“Water is life, thus there is urgent need to protect, conserve and sustainably manage and develop our water resources,” he said, in a speech read on his behalf by the Senior Deputy Secretary in the Water department Teresa Wasike.
Busia County Executive Committee Member for Water, Environment and Natural Resources Isaac Alukwe said as a stop gap measure the department has undertaken the repair of damaged pipes in Malakisi to enable Amagoro residents receive water in their taps.
He said the long drought has led to drying up of water sources, thus the need for concerted efforts to plant trees in catchment areas.
Eco Green chair Jacky Namadi said her organization in partnership with the local administration will introduce bamboo farming to