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Blessings Chidakwa Municipality Correspondent
Some Epworth residents are cashing in on acute water shortages in the area by selling water to their desperate neighbours.

Those fortunate to have water in their boreholes and wells are charging a minimum of $0,50 cents per bucket, while others are charging as much as $1 per bucket.

Those who do not have the money are having to sleep in queues to access water from the few  remaining community boreholes that still have water.

“Our major challenge in Epworth is water. People from my neighbourhood in Domboramwari have to travel for about four kilometres daily to the nearest water source. The demand has resulted in some well owners charging $0,50 per bucket,” said Mrs Rutendo Mangeva.

Another resident Mr Tinotenda Kaibva said what was worrisome was that some people were making residents pay to draw water from boreholes donated to the community.

“Some residents staying close to boreholes are also taking advantage of us, charging a fee for one to access water from community boreholes,” he said.

“They usually do this, especially when the queues are long. We have been trying to voice our concerns, but they are falling on deaf ears.”

In a recent interview, Epworth Local Board chairperson Mr Batanai Masunda admitted that the water crisis was severe, but said plans were underway to avert the situation.

“In terms of water supply, less than 10 percent of the area is connected to piped water,” he said.

“Residents rely on boreholes and wells. Harare has been supplying us with water, but now we want to erect two by five-megalitre tanks which we have already given to a contractor who is working on the bill of quantities.”

The Epworth scenario is synonymous with what is obtaining in Chitungwiza, where some residents are charging $1 for two buckets.

In some areas such as Unit F, G, N, O,P, Zengeza and St Mary’s, people are sleeping in queues at the few community boreholes available.