Rainfall activity raises dam levels

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Reporter

THE wet spell being experienced in various parts of the country has resulted in national dam level average rising to 91.9 percent from 91.2 percent, a situation that points to improved water security for the upcoming winter cropping season and domestic water supplies for major towns and cities 

Mutirikwi

However Upper Ncema and Mzingwane, two of Bulawayo’s six supply dams, remain at 13, 8 and 9,1 percent respectively.

Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) corporate communications and marketing manager Mrs Marjorie Munyonga said in an interview yesterday: “The current wet spell being experienced in various parts of the country has pushed up water levels in the country’s major dams.

As of April 22, 2022, the national dam level average had risen to 91. 9% up from 91. 2 % on April 13, 2022. 

“On account of the current rainfall activity, improvements in water levels have been recorded in dams such as Tugwi-Mukosi, Mutirikwi, Mazowe, Amapongokwe, Sebakwe, Gwenoro, Mwenje, Masembura, Chivero, Manyame, Seke and Biri. 

Tugwi-Mukosi Dam

“ The positive changes in water levels point to improved water security for the upcoming winter cropping season and domestic water supplies for major towns and cities.” 

She said in view of the positive developments in dam water levels, Zinwa was appealing to individuals and entities intending to draw water, for purposes other than primary purposes, to apply for their water reservations in the dams and sign water abstraction agreements. 

“These water abstraction agreements allow Zinwa to efficiently, sustainably and optimally allocate the available water among the often competing needs of water users. Any use of water from Zinwa managed dams without the necessary water abstraction agreements constitutes a criminal offence in terms of the Water Act,” said Mrs Munyonga. 

In collated dam levels statistical release, Bubi-Lupane dam as of the time of data collecting, was 77, 8 percent full, Ngwenya dam in the Gwayi catchment area was at 102,3 percent full. Insukamini and Pollards dams in the same Gwayi catchment area stood at 97.7 and 95.5 percent. 

Khami dam, whose water is used for irrigation was at 99.7 percent. 

Insiza and Antelope dams are at 77.8 and 59.1 percent respectively. 

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