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Tanaka Mrewa, Chronicle reporter
WITH three weeks to go before Bulawayo implements a 24-hour water shedding schedule, Mayor Councillor Martin Moyo has warned a 48-hour schedule may be implemented if residents do not conserve water.
He said water levels at the city’s six supply dams —Insiza, Mtshabezi, Umzingwane, Inyankuni, Upper and Lower Ncema — stand at less than 30 percent of their cumulative capacity.
“This is a serious predicament we’re facing. The only way the city can be spared from shedding is if we receive substantial rains in the interim.
“As long as no water flows into the dams we will have to go through with water shedding. We might be looking at 48 hours per week but depending on the severity we might push to 72 hours. We’re hoping that it doesn’t get that bad,” said Clr Moyo.
“Restrictions of water use are at nine kilolitres per month which is too high. I urge the residents of Bulawayo to use water sparingly. We understand that they may need a few garden beds in their backyard but we’re asking them to use water reasonably.”
Water shedding is a system of conserving tap water by cutting supplies for a fixed period.
At its height in 2013, Bulawayo residents went without water for up to four days in a week.
According to the latest council report, councillors advised the city’s Director of Engineering Services, Engineer Simela Dube, to be cautious when reporting the water situation and avoid giving false hope.
Clr Rodney Jele of Ward 22 said that council should ensure that all boreholes were rehabilitated to forestall a water supply crisis.
According to the proposed 24-hour schedule, all residents are exempted on Sundays while industries and the central business district will not have water cuts.
Eng Dube last month said Upper Ncema had already been decommissioned and Umzingwane may follow in two months.
He said the city was praying for an improved rainy season as last year, the total inflow into the supply dams equalled a meagre two months’ water supply.
“If consumption remains at 120 to 121 000 cubic metres per day thereabouts, we could be able to stretch into the rainy season,” he said.
He said the crisis may deepen if daily consumption rates increase to between 130,000 and 135,000 cubic metres as it did last year during the heat wave period.
Eng Dube said the city was exploring ways of augmenting the city’s water supply.
He said one way of augmenting the city’s water supplies was to tap into the Nyamandlovu Aquifer.
Byo water shedding schedule
Closing: Monday 7.30 AM
Opening: Tuesday 7.30AM
Nkulumane, Emganwini, Nketa,
Pumula, Sizinda, Tshabalala,
Bellevue, Newton West, Southwold,
West Somerton
Closing: Tuesday 7.30AM
Opening: Wednesday 7.30AM
Cowdray Park, Luveve, Magwegwe,
Njube, Entumbane, Emakhandeni,
Babourfields, Mzilikazi,
Nguboyenja, Mpopoma, Makokoba,
Lobengula, Mabutweni, Iminyela,
Pelandaba, Matshobane
Closing: Monday 7.30 AM
Opening: Tuesday 7.30AM
Esigodini, Imbizo Barrack,
Mbalabala Barracks, Mzinyathini
Irrigation Scheme, ALL OUTSIDE
AREAS except Mines
Closing: Monday 7.30 AM
Opening: Tuesday 7.30AM
ALL eastern suburbs
Exempted all days
Industry and CBD
Exempted on SUNDAY
ALL
@tannytkay
Online Reporter