Lack of Safe Drinking Water Poses Health Threats to Residents of Swenta town in Bong
April 29, 2025
By Matalay S. Kollie,
The residents of Swenta, a rural town in Bong first Electoral District, are dealing with a severe water crisis that has left them without reliable access to safe drinking water.
Town Chief, Emmanuel Zaryee has raised alarms over the town’s risky situation, revealing that the community is entirely dependent on a nearby pit for its daily water supply.
Unfortunately, the water source is loaded with contaminated risks, exposing the population to various waterborne diseases, including cholera, diarrhea, and typhoid fever. However, the faith of untreated creek water presents significant health risks for Swenta’s where over 500 inhabitants are currently living.
The creek, often packed with bacteria, organisms, and other harmful waste products, has become the community’s last resort, contributing to a potential public health crisis.
Additionally, this heart-breaking situation is particularly alarming for vulnerable groups, such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly, who are more vulnerable to the dire effects of contaminated water.
The situation has been make worse by the breakdown of the town’s only two hand pumps, previously the primary sources of clean water. Reports from community members indicate that both pumps have been non-operational for several months.
Meanwhile, Efforts by local authorities and appeals to humanitarian organizations to facilitate repairs have gone unanswered, leaving the residents to fend for themselves. Therefore, women and children are compelled to make long walks to the creek, enduring physical strain and increasing their contact to various dangers.
This added burden also restricts children’s time in school, hampering their education and future opportunities. The lack of access to clean water significantly complicates the residents’ ability to maintain hygiene and sanitation standards. During the dry season, when water sources are further limited, the situation becomes even more pressing.
The inability to maintain basic cleanliness threatens the community’s overall health, creating an environment ripe for the proliferation of diseases linked to poor sanitation practices. Moreover, the crisis in Swenta heightens the immediate need for urgent intervention from various stakeholders, including government bodies, non-governmental organizations, and international partners. Experts recommend that restoring the existing hand pumps should be a priority, alongside the introduction of sustainable water solutions, such as boreholes or water purification systems, to ensure that residents have consistent access to safe drinking water. The town’s residents told our reporter, “Without prompt and decisive action, the health and well-being of Swenta’s population remain at serious risk.”
The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated; addressing the water crisis must become a priority for local leaders and stakeholders committed to enhancing rural livelihoods in Bong County. “Only through collaborative efforts can we hope to safeguard the health and future of our people of Swenta, providing us with the essential resources we need to thrive.” Lamented the Town Chief.
