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Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
ONE of Bulawayo’s water supply dams, Mtshabezi is now full amid the prevailing wet spell.

Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) spokesperson Mrs Majorie Munyonga said nationally the average dam levels are nearly at 69 percent.

“Water levels in a number of dams across the country have started rising following the wet spell currently obtaining in many parts of the country. The national dam level average has risen to 68,9 percent marking a 1,27 percent increase since February 5, 2018,” said Mrs Munyonga

She said notable increases have been noted in Mzingwane Dam 78,9 percent, Upper Ncema is at 57 percent full while Lower Ncema is at 77,6 percent.

She said dams such as Zhove, Mtshabezi, Nyambuya, Kushinga-Phikhelela, Wenimbi, Rusape and Siya are now full.

“Despite these notable gains in dam water levels, Zinwa continues to reiterate that water remains a finite resource that needs to be used quite sparingly and efficiently,” said Mrs Munyonga.

She said water users, mainly those who intend to draw raw water from Zinwa-managed dams, are required to approach the water authority to sign water abstraction agreements as required by law.

The Bulawayo City Council last week announced that it is working on the construction of a new supply dam near Filabusi in Matabeleland South mid-year.

Bulawayo Mayor Councillor Martin Moyo said the Glassblock Dam project is expected to take two-and-a- half years.

The project that will be undertaken at an estimated cost of $208 million will see Bulawayo having seven supply dams in a move that will significantly improve the water situation in the city.

Mrs Munyonga said Glassblock Dam is being constructed under a public private partnership (PPP) arrangement. “The Glassblock Dam project is being pursued through a public private partnership (PPP) arrangement with the private sector providing the requisite funding,” she said.

@AuxiliaK