derick.khumalo
Vusumuzi Dube
THE City of Bulawayo will continue with its 120-hour water shedding programme following technical challenges encountered during the commissioning of rehabilitated raw water pumps, delaying the anticipated improvement in water supplies.
In a statement issued on Friday, the local authority said although rehabilitation works on the Flowserve raw water pumps were completed on July 20, the pumps experienced technical problems during commissioning and failed to start as expected.
The city said corrective measures have since been implemented and the pumps are now operating under test-running conditions.
“The necessary corrective measures have since been implemented, and the pumps are now operating under test-running conditions. This will restore treated water production and allow the city’s service reservoirs to gradually recover and stabilise,” said the city’s town clerk, Mr Christopher Dube in a statement.
The council said it would maintain the current 120-hour water shedding schedule while monitoring and replenishing reservoir levels to ensure a sustainable restoration of the water supply system.
“To ensure that the water supply system is restored in a sustainable and reliable manner, the City will continue operating under the current 120-hour water shedding programme while reservoir levels are being monitored and replenished.”
The local authority said it would only revert to the 72-hour water shedding programme once reservoir levels had recovered sufficiently.
“As the reservoirs stabilise and permit, the City will progressively transition back to the 72-hour water shedding programme. Residents will begin receiving water as soon as reservoir levels in their respective supply zones are sufficient to support distribution.”
Council said it remained committed to restoring reliable and equitable water supplies across the city and would continue monitoring the performance of the rehabilitated pumping system during the testing phase.
“We will continue to monitor the performance of the pumping system during the test-running period and keep residents informed of any significant developments.
“The City of Bulawayo would like to sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and we request continued patience, cooperation and understanding as we work to strengthen and improve the city’s water supply system.”
Bulawayo has been implementing an extended water shedding programme as it works to improve raw water abstraction and stabilise treated water production amid persistent supply challenges.
Online Reporter