adminThe drop in the water levels has been attributed to the water released to the Sugar Estates in the Lowveld.
According to the latest council report, the water levels have dropped to 35,25 percent and there are now fears that the local authority might be forced to introduce tight water rationing.
The Government policy is that dams supplying water to main cities should not go below 21 months supply at any given time.
In the event that the water levels decrease to such levels, the matter should be reported to Cabinet so that measures could be taken to restrict water consumption to primary use by the city.
In an interview, Masvingo Mayor Alderman Femius Chakabuda confirmed that the water situation had reached critical levels and said there was growing concern within the local authority.
“Yes, I can confirm that water levels at the main supply dams have reached critical levels and the city can be in a critical situation if nothing concrete is done immediately. We have resolved to take the matter up with the Minister of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development, Dr Ignatius Chombo,” said Ald Chakabuda.
The Mayor, however, said the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) had assured them that there was no need to panic as the situation was far from being critical.
“We have raised the issue with the responsible authority, Zinwa and they have assured us that the situation is under control. However, we feel that the situation should be addressed as a matter of urgency before it goes out of hand,” he said.
Efforts to get a comment from Zinwa were fruitless as the officials’ mobile numbers were not reachable.
Online Reporter