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Victor Maphosa Mashonaland East Bureau

Water challenges are set to end in Chivhu following the completion of the water treatment plant and pipeline by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa).

Construction of Chivhu Dam is now 98 percent complete with the water scheme almost in place for the town.

The US$42 million project also includes the implementation of an irrigation scheme near the dam.

Chivhu Dam has a capacity of 26 million cubic metres.

In an interview, Zinwa corporate communications and marketing manager, Mrs Marjorie Munyonga, confirmed that Chivhu Dam is now 98 percent complete with just some work on the outlets and spillway.

“However, the 240 cubic meters per hour Chivhu Water Treatment Plant, which is part of the broader project is now complete,” said Mrs Munyonga.

“The main purpose of Chivhu Dam is to supply water to Chivhu town and to provide irrigation water for surrounding communities.

“A 120-hectare irrigation scheme is being established at Chivhu Dam. The project included the construction of a new, bigger and modern water treatment plant for Chivhu, with a treatment capacity of 240 cubic metres of water per hour.

“The new water treatment plant and the storage works forming part of the project will ease water challenges that residents currently face and should open the way for the expansion of Chivhu town.”

Chikomba Rural District Council chairman Mr Israel Dhikinya praised the Government for constructing the dam.

“We are glad that challenges which were being faced by our residents will soon be over. Water rationing will be a thing of the past.

“This will enhance development in Chivhu. The construction sector will be boosted and investment by big companies will be guaranteed.

“There is no need for our industries not to operate here. We thank Government for this project,” he said.

Chivhu town is home to an estimated 12 000 inhabitants, and the numbers are still growing.

The town lies on the main road linking Harare Masvingo and Beitbridge.

It is also linked by a road to Mutare and Gweru, giving it more potential for industrialisation.

Chivhu is also surrounded by prime agricultural land which gives it great potential to grow as an agricultural town.

Chivhu Dam is the second largest dam to be completed by the New Dispensation in Mashonaland East in a space of three years.

Recently, Minister for Presidential Affairs and Monitoring the Implementation of Government Programmes, Dr Joram Gumbo, toured Chivhu Dam site where he expressed satisfaction with the progress.

He said during the National Development Strategy 1 period, 2021 to 2025, the Government would accelerate construction works on on-going dam projects while the inspection programme for all major dams in the country to assess risks to public safety, extent of water losses and extent of siltation, would be strengthened.

“In fact, the construction of major dams has been one of the key milestones under the New Dispensation, with a number of such water bodies either already commissioned or under construction.

“The tour that we have conducted has enabled us to appreciate the progress that has been achieved in the construction of the US$42 million Chivhu Dam, the Chivhu Town piped water scheme and the 120-hectare irrigation scheme project.

“Specifically, the dam wall has been completed while construction of the outlet, spillway and other associated structures is in progress,” said Minister Gumbo.

On completion of the dam project, the water pumping capacity for Chivhu town will rise from the current 150 cubic metres to 450 cubic metres per hour.

The irrigation system to get water from the water project will help mitigate food shortages caused by climate change-induced droughts.

It is anticipated that the dam will transform Chivhu town and the surrounding areas into a greenbelt and lead to an improvement in the livelihoods of local communities.