Adequate water for towns, cities

Precious Manomano Herald Reporter

Dams that provide water for domestic needs in most of the country’s major cities, towns, growth points and rural service centres, still hold sufficient raw water to take the areas for at least 12 months at current demand, even in the absence of any further inflows.

In a statement, Zinwa corporate communications and marketing manager Mrs Marjorie Munyonga said as of June 1, dams supplying raw water to 53,2 percent of the major cities, towns, growth points and rural service centres, satisfied the two-month rule.

This means dams had water enough to supply the towns and centres for at least 21 months at current demand, making cities and towns highly water secure.

A proportion of 40,4 percent of the towns, cities, growth points and rural service centres fell in the moderate category with their raw water sources holding water capable of supplying them for periods ranging from 12 months to 20,9 months.

“The water is therefore sufficient to see the towns, growth points and rural service centres to the next rainy season at current demand.

“This translates to 93,6 percent of the country’s cities, towns, growth points and rural service centres being water secure for a period of at least 12 months.

“Only 6,4 percent of cities, towns, growth points and rural service centres are water insecure with their dams carrying water stocks sufficient for less than 12 months,” she said.

Towns with at least 21 months of raw water supply guaranteed include Harare, Gweru, Kadoma, Kwekwe, Marondera, Rusape, Bindura, Shamva, Concession, Rushinga, Shurugwi, Insukamini, Inyati Mine, Mashava, Inyati Centre, Zaka, Zvishavane, Nyika, Gutu, Nzvimbo, Mutawatawa, and Masvingo.

Towns with supplies of between 12 months and 20,9 months include Bulawayo, Mutare, Chegutu, Gwanda, Karoi, Chivhu, Murehwa, Mvurwi, Chipinge, Sadza and Hwedza.

Areas whose raw water sources hold less than 12 months’ supply include Mt Darwin, Figtree and Mutoko.

Mrs Munyonga said Zinwa will closely monitor water withdrawals in these areas and where possible, introduce interventions to boost raw water supplies.

All water users have also been reminded that water remains a finite resource, which should be used sparingly.

The establishment of dams in rural areas dovetails with the Government’s plan of rural industrialisation and development through climate-proofing agricultural production.

Dam water is also crucial in agro-based rural areas as agricultural production zones are Vision 2030 accelerators through maximisation of production of cash crops and major foreign currency generating crops such as tobacco, cotton and sunflower, thereby empowering rural economies.

Farmers are optimistic that they will be able to undertake massive winter farming this year as dams continue to hold adequate water.

Zimbabwe National Farmers Union (ZNFU) president Mrs Monica Chinamasa said availability of water in dams would improve water security in towns, cities as well as support agricultural production.

“This is very crucial for the winter crop such as wheat. Water bodies should be protected so that we benefit from them,” she said.

Mr Taurai Makope of Maheu Farm in Banket said higher dam levels were good for irrigation in winter and summer.

“Farmers who are near these dams should use the water for agricultural production. This will go a long way in improving agricultural activities and boost production. We also expect more production,” he said.