adminProsper Ndlovu Senior Reporter
BULAWAYO residents have been urged to conserve water amid reports that consumption has sharply increased since the beginning of the month. The increased water consumption follows the recent relaxation of the water shedding programme from 72 hours to 48 hours a week.There are fears that if present rate of consumption continues, council will be forced to tighten water shedding again.
According to information released yesterday, the city’s six supply dams are 41 percent full with the bulk water being held at Insiza and Mtshabezi Dam.
Two dams, Inyankuni and Upper Ncema, have already been decommissioned.
All the water supply dams are situated in Matabeleland South Province which has been receiving reduced rainfall in the past years.
The report also shows that water levels in the city’s seven reservoirs has reached critical levels with Criterion Raw and Clear Water Works at one foot level. Magwegwe Reservoir was nine feet while Hillside was at seven feet.
Rifle Range reservoir was at five feet from a maximum of 18 feet.
The council’s senior public relations officer, Mrs Nesisa Mpofu, said water consumption has increased to 125 megalitres per day from the previous average 96 megalitres per day.
Mrs Mpofu said Thuli Reservoir which was at 10 feet on Friday last week was at six yesterday from a maximum of 18 feet. “If demand from this reservoir remains high the city will experience water shortages in the eastern suburbs,” she said.
She said consumption patterns were reflective of the effects of the new reduced water shedding time table, which became effective on 1 October following 100 percent pumping from Mtshabezi Dam.
Online Reporter