The Sunday News
Walter Mswazi/ Martha Leboho
MASVINGO City Council has spent $200 000 to drill six boreholes in 10 wards to alleviate water shortages in the city.
In an interview, Masvingo Mayor Councillor Collen Maboke said council was aiming at increasing the number of the boreholes once more money is available.
“We have spent $200 000 drilling six boreholes in some of our wards and another initiative is in the pipeline to drill more boreholes as an alternative for water crisis that has hit our town. At least if we could have two boreholes for each ward, it will be sufficient for the residents. We got the money from our devolution allocation,” he said.
Clr Maboke said although the drilling of boreholes was an alternative, there was need to ensure that the city’s water pumping system is exempted from load shedding to ensure constant supply.
“Borehole water should only be an alternative, and people should have tap water but its beyond our control because of power cuts, we urge Zesa to improve power generation so we can supply residents with water,” said Clr Maboke.
Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Association spokesperson Mr Godfrey Mutimba applauded council’s initiative and said the boreholes will bring relief to residents who were enduring long hours without water.
“Since we are experiencing water crisis due to power cuts and water pump break down, the borehole initiative is a good measure. Six boreholes might not be enough for the residents but since there are more initiatives in the pipeline, we appreciate,” said Mr Mutimba.
Meanwhile, the council is also considering further rationing water due to pumping capacity challenges. Ward 4 Councillor Godfrey Kurauone said it was better for the local authority to start rationing water so that all residents can benefit. The pumping capacity of the Bushmead water pump is now overwhelmed by the increasing population of the city’s residents that even when water is pumped, some houses on high ground do not get supply. The pump has a capacity to pump 30 megalitres which is not adequate as the actual requirement should be 48 megalitres per day.
“I think there is need for water rationing at different times. As it stands some suburbs like Rhodene have not been getting water supplies. This is due to the fact that they are on high ground,” said Clr Kurauone.
“The ideal situation is to give suburbs on lower ground water for a specific number of hours then close supply and open for those on high ground. This will benefit everyone and it should continue until the situation improves,” he said.
The water situation in Masvingo is unique in that the amount of water in the main supply dam, Lake Mutirikwi is still enough to last beyond the next three years, according to the Zimbabwe National Water Authority and stood at 49 percent as of September.
