The Turkana South water supply project at Lopur village in Korinyang has been upgraded to provide a steady supply of water to the villages and the surrounding areas.

The County Department of Water Services and USAID Livestock Market Systems (LMS) have invested Sh 4M for the upgrade.

The project serves up to 10,000 people and 2,000 livestock units.

The water supply system has been revamped and fitted with lockable taps, a water control slab, an 18-panel solar system, and a three-kilometer pipeline extension.

The scope of works also included a 20,000-litre elevated steel tank, and fencing of the water source point for resource protection and prevention against pollution.

Speaking during the opening of the upgraded water supply facility, the Chief Officer for Water Services, David Maraka said the residents are now assured of clean and safe drinking water, livestock use, and small-scale agriculture.

He added the intervention was a great reprieve to the Lopur village and the surrounding areas, who initially relied on untreated water flowing in the nearby irrigation canal.

The LMS Project WASH Specialist Eng James Nachule said the intervention also included water quality analysis which revealed the water was fit for human consumption.

According to Nachule, the Lopur project was one among the 10 other projects under the WASH program being implemented by the USAID LMS across Turkana.

Three are already complete and operational. The other seven are at different stages of completion.

The LMS Eng said the design used for the upgrade integrated the initial system with a gravity force pumping mechanism and empowered of water users association to manage the project for sustainability.

During the visit, Samson Egusi (Deputy Director of Water Services) and James Kospir (Ag Turkana South Sub-county Water Officer) were also present.