The Sunday News
Vusumuzi Dube, Senior Municipal Reporter
THE water situation in Bulawayo is likely to worse as its supply dam water levels are now at 25 percent of its capacity.
The situation is further compounded by electrical faults being experienced at some of the local authority’s pump stations, with the latest having occurred on Monday at Fernhill booster station which has resulted in the failure to pump water to the city’s major reservoir; Criterion.
In a statement, town clerk, Mr Christopher Dube revealed that the latest fault will result in some areas in the city going beyond their scheduled water shedding timetable. Residents in the city have to endure six days without water according to the schedule.
“The City of Bulawayo would like to advise members of the public that the city is currently experiencing challenges in terms of both raw and clear water pumping to the Criterion Raw Water and Tuli Clear Water Reservoirs respectively. These challenges are mainly due to non-availability of water at the city’s water supply dams currently at 25,70 percent. The low water levels have resulted in reduced pumping to Tuli Reservoir as well as Criterion Treatment Works,” said Mr Dube.
Regarding the electrical fault at Fernhill booster station, Mr Dube said that this further affected raw water pumping to Tuli and Criterion hence low water levels in the Clear Water Reservoir. He said they were also struggling to contain water bursts in the city which had since resulted in a number of areas going for long periods without water supplies.
“The City of Bulawayo is currently trying to increase pumping levels to raise reservoir levels to acceptable standards (two metres) to try and restore supplies as per the schedule. However, if the Criterion Clear Water Reservoir doesn’t reach two metre level by Tuesday, Emganwini, Pumula and Nketa nine will then be opened the following day that is Wednesday.
“Several suburbs such as Tshabalala, parts of Famona, Nkulumane 12 have been affected by water bursts leading to interruption of water supplies outside the normal water shedding programme. The city of Bulawayo is currently mobilising the relevant equipment and material to attend and repair the bursts,” said the town clerk.
