Govt extends US$5m to Chitungwiza

Municipality to repair its water and sewer reticulation system.
Government provided US$650 000 and the African Water Facility injected a further 1,9 million euros. The municipality is currently conducting a tender before work begins on the rehabilitation programme.
Under the African Water Facility programme of the African Development Bank, Chitungwiza Municipality will get funds over a 15 month programme to upgrade water pipes for equitable distribution and larger sewer pipes.
Town Clerk Mr Godfrey Tanyanyiwa recently said the money would address sewerage and water problems in the satellite town.
“The water and sewerage problems that have been the hallmark of Chitungwiza are set to be a thing of the past following the extension of money from our Government that we believe is enough to see a dramatic change in the ground,” he said.
Much of Chitungwiza’s water and sewerage woes have been blamed on limited capacity to handle large volumes of waste following an increase in the population to about 1,5 million people over the years.
The system was designed for just over 200 000 people.
Although the US$650 000 has be-en availed so far from Government, at least $4,8 million has been approved for the project.
The money would, however, be disbursed in tranches depending on Chitungwiza’s capacity to spend and justify expenditure.
“This money will be solely for the rehabilitation of our sewer and water capacity and we are expected to complete the projects within 15 months,” said Mr Tanyanyiwa.
Parts of Zengeza and most areas in Seke have been under intermittent water ration-ing lasting for up to a week due to backflow as there are no non-return control valves.
This has seen low lying areas such as St Mary’s and Zengeza getting water almost everyday as water that is pumped up the network flows back to the low lying areas through gravity.
Part of the upgrading programme involves putting the non-return valves throughout the network.
Mr Tanyanyiwa said the programme would include the installation of water metres while leakages will also be plugged along the supply network.