dyton mupawaenda
Agriculture Reporter
WATER levels in the country’s major dams have increased due to rains received in most parts of the country in the past week, the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) has said.
Zinwa corporate communications manager, Mrs Marjorie Munyonga, said the water levels had slightly increased, resulting in improved water supply for both domestic use and irrigation activities.
“As of April 23, 2025, the national dam level average had slightly risen from 89 percent on April 16 to 89. 1 percent, signifying improved water security for urban domestic water needs and for the impending winter cropping season. With the winter cropping season now imminent, all raw water users, including farmers, are required to renew or sign their water abstraction agreements for them to access water from the national dams as required by the law,” she said.
In terms of the Water Act, all individuals and entities using water other than for primary purposes should do so in terms of a water abstraction agreement.
“Water abstraction agreements allow Zinwa to sustainably and efficiently allocate the available water among the always competing needs of water users. Farmers intending to sign water abstraction agreements should approach relevant Zinwa offices for assistance. The Zimbabwe National Water Authority will not release any water to users without valid water abstraction agreements,” she said.
Zinwa statistics show that most dams for irrigation and water supply are above 80 percent full while some few dams are however, below 50 percent.
Blockley Dam in the Manyame Catchment, which is for irrigation and water supply is 28,3 percent full, Mazowe Dam for irrigation is 36,8 percent full, Lower Ncema in Mzingwane Catchment which is for water supply is 29,4 percent while Mwenje in the Mazowe Catchment is 37,1 percent full.
Online Reporter