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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
MASVINGO City Council has resolved to embark on a massive water rationing exercise in the wake of dwindling water levels in the main supply dam, Lake Mutirikwi. Water levels in Lake Mutirikwi dropped to about 20 percent as of February this year mainly due to drought. According to the latest full council minutes, Masvingo General Hospital as well as industrial and commercial areas will be exempt from water rationing.

The exemption is meant to save lives as well as ensure that business in the city is not affected. Army establishments, police stations and prisons, schools and colleges will have to reduce their usage by 20 percent with immediate effect.

“The suggested water rationing strategies will be as follows, low density areas will be allocated 40 cubic metres (40,000 litres) per month, medium density areas will have 30 cubic metres (30,000 litres, high density areas 25 cubic metres (25,000 litres),” reads part of the minutes.

“Masvingo General Hospital will, however, not be affected as modalities are being worked out so that the provincial referral hospital gets uninterrupted water supply,” reads the minutes.

The council said the water rationing would be effected on a rotational basis. It said consumers who would be found consistently exceeding their monthly water allocation would be cut off for at least seven days. The use of hosepipes remains banned and the penalty for those who violate the order will be a $500 fine.

“Watering gardens, lawns, washing cars and filling swimming pools and using hosepipes were long banned and those caught doing so will pay a penalty which has since been raised from $100 to $500.”