Online Reporter
Michelle Musandinyoze, [email protected]
A total of 30 suburbs across eastern and western Bulawayo are bracing for a week without water, following persistent delays in repairing a major burst on the 675mm pipeline connecting Criterion to Magwegwe Reservoir.
The pipe, which burst on May 26, was initially expected to be repaired by yesterday, with water supplies restored to the affected areas. However, in a statement issued yesterday, Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube announced that restoration would be further delayed by a week due to unforeseen challenges encountered on site.
Suburbs supplied by the Magwegwe Reservoir and affected by the outage include Cowdray Park, Pelandaba West, Magwegwe, Njube, Mabutweni, Gwabalanda, Entumbane, Mpopoma, Matshobane, Lobengula, Emakhandeni and Luveve.
Those supplied by Criterion include Nketa 6-9, Emganwini, Nkulumane 1-5 and 10-12, Bellevue, Newton, West, West Somerton, Matopo and the Research Centre.
Mr Dube stated that the city anticipates completing the repair works and restoring water supply within seven days from the originally scheduled date of Monday, June 9.
“The delay was caused by the unavailability of critical materials, as suppliers were out of stock and closed over the weekend. Additionally, site conditions required changes to the original plan, including widening the embankment due to loose soil. Work is being carried out at an elevated height, posing safety risks that demand strict adherence to safety protocols, further affecting progress,” he said.
Mr Dube apologised for the inconvenience caused by the delays and assured residents that every effort is being made to complete the repair work safely and as swiftly as possible.
