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Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
THE completion of an 11,4 mega-litre reservoir, which was built by Government and the ZimBorders Consortium under the US$300 million Beitbridge Border Post modernisation project is set to boost the border town’s water supply.

The reservoir has the capacity to supply water to areas within a 40km radius. It was built along with a new sewer oxidation dam, fire station, animal plant, quarantine centre and 220 houses for Government workers at the border post.

The border town with an estimated population of 100 000 people and handling about 15 000 travellers that pass through the border daily, the town requires at least 18 mega litres of water a day.

Aerial view of modernised Beitbridge Border Post

Beitbridge Town Clerk, Mr Loud Ramakgapola said the reservoir will boost the town’s water storage capacity from 10ML to 22ML

“This reservoir is a very welcome development because it increases our storage capacity to 22ML which is enough to supply the town for about two days,” he said.

Mr Ramakgapola said areas on high ground which were not receiving water, will now access water following the completion of the reservoir.

According to the council’s population growth projections, they intend to increase the capacity of the town’s water storage facilities to at least 54ML, which is enough to last for three days.

Beitbridge Town Clerk Mr Loud Ramakgapola

“In addition to that, we are saying in the next 10 years, we are planning to have facilities to supply 100 mega-litres of water in three days,” said Mr Ramakgapola.

Beitbridge Residents Association chairman, Mr Lawrence Tshili said the upgrading of water infrastructure is critical given the town’s rapid growth.

“We commend Government and its partners for this project. This expansion of the water reticulation infrastructure will enable all residents to access water which is a milestone achievement,” he said.

A resident, Ms Faith Matapura said the availability of water in all suburbs will ease the burden on women and young girls who had to endure walking long distances to access water at boreholes.

Another resident, Mr George Ndlovu said: “Our hope is that the whole town will soon be connected and each household will be receiving potable water now that we have a reservoir built on a mountain. This is a good intervention by Government to support our town’s transformation dream by upgrading water supply facilities.”

Ms Musa Moyo said the increased availability of water in most households will go a long way in minimising crime as some people were being mugged while looking for water at odd hours.

“We have had cases of residents being robbed while fetching water from boreholes at night,” she said.–@tupeyo