Zimpapers Logo

Locadia Mavhudzi Midlands Correspondent
Gweru City Council has urged ratepayers to use water sparingly as its sole source of raw water, Gwenhoro Dam, is running dry and is now left with eight months’ supply of water.

This was revealed by the city’s director of engineering services, Engineer Rabson Manatsa, during a water indaba recently.

Eng Manatsa told delegates that the water level at Gwenhoro Dam was going down at an alarming rate since there has not been any significant rains received this season, adding that residents should brace for serious water rationing.

“Our dam level at Gwenhoro has depleted to an extent that it is left with eight months’ supply,” he said.

“At this rate we will soon be introducing serious water rationing across the city.

“Our pumping capacity will be reduced from 60 megalitres per day to around 40 megalitres per day. Gwenhoro is at present our sole supplier of water as the pumps at Whitewaters and Amapongobwe dams are down.”  Eng Manatsa said council is making frantic efforts to rehabilitate water pumps at Whitewaters and Amapongobwe so that the city can increase its water supply.

“We are fully aware of the challenges at hand,” he said. “We have since engaged a contractor who is now on site at Whitewaters Dam to install two new water pumps that we have purchased so far.

“However, access to foreign currency to buy the pumps remain a major challenge.”

Eng Manatsa said council is also battling with old pipes from the supplier dam, hence the town is experiencing a lot of water leaks.

“Our whole water supply chain needs a revamp, hence we have a long term plan to install nine new water pumps for our three supply dams,” he said.

“We are also working with Zinwa to increase Amapongobwe dam capacity and this requires up to $80 million.”

Over the years, Gweru’s water problems have been worsened by power outages, obsolete water pumps and pipes.