admin“This has been necessitated by declining dam levels attributable to a below normal rainfall season that was experienced this year and the high levels of water consumption which are still being experienced in the city,” said Mrs Mpofu.
She said residents should note that suburbs would not be supplied for two continuous 48-hour periods at a time in a week.
Mrs Mpofu said industries, the city centre and essential service providers like hospitals still remained exempt from the exercise.
“The move is in a bid to try and conserve the water and be able to manage the limited resources hopefully up to the next rainy season,” she said.
According to the new schedule, which was approved by councillors at a special council meeting on Thursday evening, eastern suburbs would be without water from Monday at 7.30 am to Wednesday at 7.30 am.
The next 48-hour cycle would begin on Friday and end on Sunday.
Suburbs that include Nkulumane, Emganwini, Nketa, Pumula, Sizinda, Tshabalala, Bellevue, Newton West, Southwold, West Somerton and areas like Esigodini, Imbizo Barracks, Mbalabala Barracks, Mzinyathini irrigation scheme, all outside areas except mines, would follow the same timetable.
Cowdray Park, Luveve, Magwegwe, Njube, Entumbane, Emakhandeni, Babourfields, Mzilikazi, Nguboyenja, Mpopoma, Makokoba, Lobengula, Mabutweni, Iminyela, Pelandaba and Matshobana would be without water between Tuesday and Thursday with second cycle covering the weekend, starting on Saturday and ending on Monday.
Mrs Mpofu warned that water might not be restored according to the schedule if the water in the service reservoir is low or below critical levels. She said low reservoir levels resulted in areas on high ground being unable to receive water at all.
“Opening and closing within short periods of time may be impossible as the water takes time to reach some residents far from the reservoirs and those on high ground. Residents are encouraged to ensure that taps are tightly closed at all times to avoid air spinning their water meters,” said Mrs Mpofu.
The city is pinning its hopes on an early good rainy season. Already, Umzingwane and Upper Ncema dams have been decommissioned due to low water levels while Lower Ncema and Inyankuni are likely to follow before the end of the year.
This would leave the city relying on Insiza Dam and boreholes at Nyamandlovu Aquifer.
On Wednesday, the Minister of Water Resources development and Management, Samuel Sipepa Nkomo announced that the Mtshabezi pipeline would soon be put on a trial run.
If water from Mtshabezi is availed to the city, it would supply an additional 17 000 cubic metres daily and is expected to reduce shedding by at least 24 hours.
The permanent solution to the city’s water problems is viewed as the National Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project (NMZWP) that was first mooted in 1912.
Minister Nkomo promised that the Zambezi Water Project will be completed in three years, after securing funding from a Chinese bank, to undertake the project.
Normal 0
96 HOURS WATER SHEDDING SCHEDULE
CLOSING OPENING
DAY TIME DAY TIME
Nkulumane, Emganwini, Nketa, Pumula, Sizinda, Tshabalala, Bellevue, Newton West, Southwold, West Somerton MONDAY FRIDAY 0730 AM0730 AM WEDNESDAYSUNDAY 0730 AM0730 AM
Cowdray Park,Luveve,Magwegwe,Njube, Entumbane,Emakhandeni,Babourfields,Mzilikazi,Nguboyenja,Mpopoma, Makokoba Lobengula, Mabutweni, Iminyela, Pelandaba, Matshobana TUESDAY AMSATURDAY 07300730 AM THURSDAYMONDAY 0730 AM0730 AM
Esigodini, Imbizo Barracks, Mbalabala barracks, Mzinyathini irrigation scheme, ALL OUTSIDE AREAS except Mines MONDAY FRIDAY 0730 AM0730 AM WEDNESDAYSUNDAY 0730 AM0730 AM
ALL EASTERN SUBURBS MONDAY FRIDAY 0730 AM0730 AM WEDNESDAY SUNDAY 0730 AM0730 AM
Industry & CBD EXEMPTED ALL DAYS
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