Once again the hot season is upon us. The season is characterised by a spur in the demand for water as the heat requires that plants are irrigated more frequently than during the cold season. Household water use is also known to rise during the hot spell and such rises also exerts added pressure on water utilities such as ZINWA and local authorities across the country.However the ensuing hot season is coming when the country is in a drought year.

The country received below normal rains this year as a result of El Nino. Other countries in Southern Africa were also not spared the effects of El Nino.

As such the country is experiencing water stress in some parts of the country.

Already the national dam level average is below 50% at a time when it is expected to be well above that. Dams supplying raw water to Karoi, Masvingo, Bulawayo, Mutawatawa, Kotwa and other places are critically low while the irrigating farmers also find themselves staring in the face of water shortages.

While this situation look very bad, each and everyone has role to ensure that the limited water available can be stretched further.

This only becomes possible when water users appreciate the fact that water is a finite resource that is also under threat from pollution and climate change.

To this end, water conservation becomes paramount. Every water user can play his bit to compliment the efforts of ZINWA by using water efficiently and sparingly.

A lot can be done by users in their homes and fields that can allow users to use less while achieving the same results.

Above all, water conservation helps users to reduce their water bills significantly.

Water conservation tips in the home:

The following can be done in the homes to conserve water:

Timely repair of all leaking taps

Using buckets when watering lawns

Using buckets for bathing instead of the shower

Using water glasses and cups when cleaning teeth instead of running water from a tap

Growing drought resistant lawns and plants

Watering the garden and lawns in the morning or late afternoon and watering only when necessary

Water recycling

Water Conservation tips in the fields

Repairing all leaking points along the irrigation system

Avoiding irrigating on windy days

Irrigating early in the morning or in the evening to reduce water losses

Lining canals

For those installing new irrigation systems, drip irrigation would be ideal

In times such as these irrigating farmers should ensure that they have water abstraction agreements that make their water use legitimate and legal. Without water abstraction agreements, ZINWA is not able to reserve water allocations for farmers in the dams.

Farmers are also reminded that any water use without an agreement is an offence and attracts prosecution. Farmers are therefore encouraged to visit their nearest ZINWA Catchment Offices and obtain agreements.

Those owing ZINWA are also encouraged to settle their bills or negotiate payment plans.

It is only through paying for water that service delivery can be guaranteed. Paying for water allows ZINWA to maintain water infrastructure, procure critical water treatment chemicals and construct new water infrastructure.

 

For more information you can contact the ZINWA Corporate Communications and Marketing Department on [email protected] or visit www.zinwa.co.zw You can also like the Zimbabwe National Water Authority Facebook Page or follow us on Twitter @zinwawater. You can also call our Call Centre on (04) 850 261/ 066 or 008677004339

You Might Also Like

Comments