The Sunday News
Vusumuzi Dube, Senior Municipal Reporter
THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) is seeking partners for the construction of 15 more water kiosks in the city to help ease the water woes being faced by residents.
Last month the local authority announced its intentions to construct 25 water kiosks in the worst affected areas in the city.
This resulted in two donor organisations- Danish Church Aid and Vitens Evides International (Water Worx)- chipping in with equipment for the construction of 10 of the intended 25.
Water kiosks are 15 000-litre Jojo tanks which would be constantly supplied by water bowsers feeding mainly high lying areas which may go up to the next rainy season without any water supplies. Residents would not be asked to pay for the water from the kiosks.
In a statement, the local authority’s town clerk, Mr Christopher Dube said the construction of the initial 10 kiosks was ongoing.
“The work on the initial 10 kiosks is ongoing following assistance from our partners, Danish Church Aid and Water Worx. The City is mobilising its own funds for the remaining 15 kiosks and welcomes any partners on board.
“The water kiosks are expected to improve turnaround time, there-by enabling more areas to be covered, reducing waiting time and improve social distancing,” said Mr Dube.
The town clerk revealed that when completed the 25 water kiosks are expected to serve 6 099 affected properties.
“On the other hand, rehabilitation of 50 hand-pumps (boreholes) is being explored, subject to funding, to improve access to water to an additional 5 000 households,” said Mr Dube.
