Chronicle Editor
Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
THE Bulawayo Technical Committee on Water Supply and Sanitation which was set up by the Government late last year has identified and set in motion eleven strategic projects designed to address the critical water supply situation haunting the city.
Among these initiatives, four key projects are set to be completed by September this year and are expected to alleviate water shortages. Part of the identified initiatives focuses on the restoration of the Umzingwane Dam Booster Pump Station and upgrading of transformers to boost water delivery capacity from 135 mega litres per day to 175 mega litres per day.
Presenting a written response to the National Assembly on Wednesday on the strategies to solve water shortages in Bulawayo, the Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Vangelis Haritatos noted that eleven strategic interventions have been earmarked with five of them already on-going.
“There are several specific terms of reference circumscribing our strategic projects which include, upgrading the 2,8 kilometre, 110 millimetre PVC pipeline, Cowdray Park water mainline to 315 millimetre PVC pipeline so that all 25 000 households in Cowdray Park have water and at the right pressure.
“We want to ensure the sustainable operation of the Nyamandlovu Aquifer Water supply system, to consistently supply 16 mega litres per day, ensure improved portable water supply coverage in the city from the current target 125 mega litres per day to a minimum 175 mega litres per day and improve sanitation in the areas of sewer leakages, an increased treatment of wastewater generated in the city to above 50 mega litres per day,” said Deputy Minister Haritatos.
He said they also want to ensure a consistent and adequate supply of water treatment chemicals, recommend institutional strengthening required to improve water and sanitation services delivery and produce a short-medium and long-term plan for sustainable improvement of water and sanitation services in the city.
“In this vein, the first four strategic projects that commenced in March 2024 and are expected to be completed by September 2024 include the Mtshabezi in-line boosters, refurbishment of Insiza pipeline, Ncema treatment works filters rehabilitation as well as the criterion by-pass.
“The Cowdray Park water workshop depot construction and water mains renewal is expected to be completed in December this year. Water quality monitoring equipment has a deadline of June 2024 while the Cowdray Park water mainline upgrade is expected to commence in September 2024 to February 2025,” said Deputy Minister Haritatos.
In the medium to long-term projects, Deputy Minister Haritatos said the Tuli criterion link and upgrade of the Tuli reservoir as well as the Gwayi Shangani Dam have December 2026 as their deadlines.
The city is going through one of its worst water crises in recent years after receiving minimal inflows at its six supply dams due to the El Nino-induced dry spell prompting the Government to set up a technical committee on water and sanitation.
The city council decommissioned Umzingwane Dam in November last year after its levels had deteriorated and council officials recently indicated that Upper and Lower Ncema dams will also be decommissioned soon.
Due to the crisis, residents have to endure a 120-hour water-shedding schedule, which in most cases goes beyond the scheduled times as levels in the city’s reservoirs continue to dwindle. — @nyeve14
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu