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Locadia Mavhudzi Midlands Correspondent
The Shurugwi Town Council is planning to spend about 60 percent of its $4,8 million devolution grant on revamping its water and wastewater infrastructure.

Shurugwi town secretary Mr Solomon Siziba said they were planning to increase water pumping capacity to lessen water challenges in the town. “We have been allocated $4,6 million in line with devolution. 60 percent will be used to improve pumping capacity at Impali dam, which is our sole supplier of potable water. We are currently facing acute water challenges such that residents only get water eight hours per day. We need to double that.” Shurugwi Town Council is currently losing 62 percent of its treated water through leaks and illegal connections.

“This is against the international accepted standard of 25 percent. We are prioritising the replacement of old water pipes in the whole supply chain from the dam to the residents. Council is planning to introduce geographical information systems and zonal meters to help us identify where we are losing the treated water.” Mr Siziba said Shurugwi enjoys a competitive advantage in terms of devolution because of its rich mineral resource base.

“As a local authority, devolution is going to improve investment opportunities because we have vast mineral resources. We are currently seeking partners in the areas of mining and tourism and we are optimistic that once we complete the rehabilitation of essential services like water and waste water, business will begin to take shape.”

The local authority is also seeking alternative water supply sources since Impali dam is becoming too small for the growing population.

“We are in talks with Zimasco to enable us to use their mine shafts as supplementary sources of water because Impali dam can no longer cope with the expansion of the town. “Currently the dam level is at 41 percent. The water may not be able to sustain the town up to the rainy season.”