Zimpapers Logo

Elizabeth Tsuro, Midlands Reporter
THE city of Gweru has gone for three days without water raising fears of a disease outbreak.

The Gweru Magistrates Court as well as other public areas like the Government Complex which houses government departments have had their public toilets closed because of the unavailability of water.

While council is blaming the water shortage on power outages at Gwenoro Dam, residents have accused management of failing to prioritise service delivery.

They accused council of failing to repair water reservoirs in the Kopje area to mitigate against water shortages.

“This is the third day since the taps ran dry and there is no communication from the Tsunga Mhangami led commission. They lied that they had fixed the water reservoirs which should be used to store water for the city. We are sitting on a health time bomb since many are using the bush to relieve themselves as well as collecting water from unsecured pools,” said Sibongile Moyo from Senga Township.

The city’s Director of Engineering services, Engineer Praymore Mhlanga, said an electrical fault had affected water supplies.

“We experienced a power outage from Zimbabwe Electricity supply authority (Zesa), so it has affected water supply from Gwenoro. Our pumping rate is at breakeven, that is to say it’s just hand to mouth. So if there are any disturbances, we will be heavily affected,” said Eng Mhlanga.

“Zesa is working on the electrical fault and normal water supply will resume shortly.”

Eng Mhlanga said there was a need to balance the consumption and supply rate of water in the city considering that there was no adequate storage capacity.

“If funds permit we will have to buy new pumping equipment to change our pumping rate of water into the city,” he said.

“The water levels at our dams are critical considering that our main suppliers Gwenoro and Amapongobwe have about 50 percent water capacity.

We are hoping we continue receiving rains to increase these water levels.”