Cholera threat as Kwekwe struggles with water supply

Michael Magoronga, [email protected]

THE city of Kwekwe has been failing to pump water regularly to residents, increasing the risk of a cholera outbreak.

The local authority has blamed power cuts and ‘dirty water’ that needs more chemicals and longer treatment time to be purified.

Cholera cases have been recorded in some parts of the country and the situation leaves residents exposed to the deadly disease. The usually reliable local authority has been found wanting with ratepayers going for more than two weeks without potable water leaving them relying on unprotected sources.

Redcliff, which relies on Kwekwe for water, has also been affected.

Kwekwe is generally consistent when it comes to water supply hence most residents are not used to storing water and in most cases, they are caught unawares by the situation further worsening their predicament.

Mayor Councillor Albert Zinhanga said they are failing to pump water to residents due to turbidity and intermittent power cuts. “During the rainy season, there has been a trend of mud silt which results in our water filter beds getting clogged and as a result our water treatment process is now longer than normal and we also require more chemicals,” he explained.

Clr Zinhanga said power cuts have also not helped matters.

“Continuous power cuts at water works have also become a problem. When we resume water pumping after having been switched off, it takes a few hours for the water to reach most areas and it has become a trend. We are appealing to the power authority to consider our plight and not switch us off,” he said.

Clr Zinhanga said despite the challenges, the local authority is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring residents get uninterrupted water supply.

Recently, a district meeting was held to address the situation.

Acting Kwekwe District Development Coordinator Mr Reason Machina said the meeting was held to address the water situation before it gets out of hand.

“Kwekwe is usually reliable on water supply so we wanted to listen to the local authority and key stakeholders in the pumping of the water like Zesa.

As we are all aware water is a critical component and we should find a solution before disaster strikes,” said Mr Machina.

He said there was a need for an additional transformer at the water treatment plant.

“Currently Kwekwe water treatment plant is using two transformers instead of three so we encourage them to look into that. The power utility also said they will do their best to ensure that there is a regular power supply at the waterworks. We look forward to the improvement of the situation,” said Mr Machina.