Online Reporter
BULAWAYO finds itself confronting a troubling paradox. Its dams hold considerably more water than they did at the same time last year, yet many residents continue to endure dry taps, prolonged water shedding and the daily uncertainty of not knowing when water will next flow into their homes.
For a city that has battled water shortages for decades, the latest figures should have offered some relief.
Instead, they have exposed a deeper problem: the challenge is no longer simply finding water, but delivering it.
The latest Bulawayo City Council report shows that the city’s six supply dams are more than 66 percent full, a significant improvement from last year’s levels. Under normal circumstances, such figures would inspire confidence. However, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Families continue to spend days without water. Businesses must absorb the cost of alternative supplies.
Schools, clinics and other public institutions are forced to operate under difficult conditions. The question residents are now asking is simple: if the water is there, why is it not reaching them?
The answer lies largely in ageing infrastructure, recurring equipment breakdowns and a water distribution system that is struggling to keep pace with the city’s needs. The council itself acknowledges that while sufficient water exists for abstraction, actual production and distribution fall well below capacity because of operational challenges. This should be a matter of serious concern. Water stored in dams serves little purpose if it cannot reach households.
Water is not a luxury. It is a basic human right. Access to clean and reliable water is essential for health, sanitation, education, dignity and economic activity. No resident should have to organise their life around days of water shedding or spend hours searching for alternative sources when substantial volumes remain stored in the city’s reservoirs. The continued disruption of water supplies carries serious consequences, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and those living with chronic illnesses.
The Bulawayo City Council must therefore intensify efforts to address the weaknesses within the supply system. Repairing ageing infrastructure can no longer be postponed. Critical pumping stations, pipelines and distribution networks require urgent attention. The fact that only three of the council’s seven water bowsers are operational is equally concerning. These vehicles serve as essential lifelines during emergencies and shortages. Restoring the entire fleet should be treated as a priority rather than an option.
At the same time, the city cannot afford to lose momentum on long-term solutions. Projects such as Gwayi-Shangani and Glassblock remain crucial to Bulawayo’s future water security. While progress on the Gwayi-Shangani Dam wall is encouraging, the slow advancement of the pipeline component highlights the danger of celebrating partial achievements. A completed dam means little if the infrastructure needed to transport water to Bulawayo remains unfinished.
Council’s efforts to explore underground water through the Umganin Aquifer are also commendable, but such initiatives must move beyond studies and planning into visible implementation.
Residents need practical solutions, not endless timelines and projections.
Illegal water connections must also be dealt with decisively. Water theft not only deprives the council of much-needed revenue but also places additional strain on a system already under pressure.
However, enforcement alone will not solve the crisis. Sustainable progress requires efficient management, improved maintenance and a commitment to putting residents first.
Bulawayo has demonstrated remarkable resilience through years of recurring water challenges. Yet resilience should never be mistaken for acceptance. Residents deserve a reliable water supply, especially when water is available in the dams. The city’s leadership must now match words with action and work tirelessly to ensure that every household receives the service it is entitled to.
Water is a human right. It should not remain a privilege enjoyed by the fortunate few. The time has come for Bulawayo City Council to turn improved dam levels into improved lives. Only then will the city begin to overcome its long-standing water crisis.
