The Chipata City Council has suspended operations from nine eating places and a bar at Kapata’s COMESA market in Chipata Central Constituency for allegedly using water from Lunkhwakwa Stream to cook food.
Some concerned residents had complained that some named restaurants were using water from the Lunkhwakwa Stream and called on the council to urgently look into the matter.
Council Assistant Public Relations Officer, Tyson Mlauzi, says upon investigations, nine eating places and a bar owner accepted that they were drawing water from the Lunkhwakwa stream.
In their defense, the accused business persons attributed their habit to lack of access to clean and safe water.
Mr. Mlauzi added that water samples have been taken for laboratory testing.
He has assured the public that the council will extend inspections of all trading spaces in order to enforce compliance.
He also warned that the council will close down non-compliant businesses in a bid to protect the health safety of the public.
Source: Breeze FM