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Mr Gwindi

Herald Reporter
The City of Harare will tomorrow shut down the Prince Edward Water Treatment Plant to allow for the installation of new pumps, a city official has said. City of Harare spokesperson Mr Leslie Gwindi confirmed the development.The initiative comes after the African Development Bank issued a US$9,3 million loan to the city of Harare towards the refurbishment of the Firle, Morton Jaffray and Prince Edward water treatment plants.

“Harare City Council would like to inform its valued clients and customers that there will be a temporary shutdown of the Prince Edward Water Treatment Plant on Thursday. The shutdown will last for 17 hours.

“We will shut down the water from 3am until 8pm and it will allow for the installation of new pumps. That is meant to increase the efficiency of the water treatment plant. The city regrets any inconveniences that would be caused during the period,” said Mr Gwindi.

He said the southern suburbs among them Waterfalls, Hatfield, Braeside, Arcadia, Prospect, Sunningdale and Chitungwiza would be affected during the shutdown.

In the past, occasional major pipe bursts were forcing residents to fetch water from unprotected sources, posing health hazards.
The Chinese Export and Import Bank has already acquired material to be used for the refurbishment of the 60-year-old plant.

Harare Water produces 450 mega-litres a day from Prince Edward and Morton Jaffray waterworks, 100 of which are lost through leaks and dilapidated infrastructure against a normal requirement of 900 mega litres a day.

At full implementation Morton Jaffray and Prince Edward water treatment plants are expected to produce up to 705 mega litres a day.