Colletta Dube
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu [email protected]
THE Gwanda community is reeling from the effects of water infrastructure which was damaged by floods early this year with the town having gone for a week without water.
In the meantime the municipality is working on a permanent solution to address the problem. The town’s water infrastructure was in March damaged by floods after a dam in the district breached.
The water pumping house was flooded damaging some equipment in the process. The water pipe line which draws water from the supply dam to the pump station was also dismantled resulting in a need to replace the entire pipe system.
As a temporary measure council had placed a temporary pipeline in order to resume water supply in the town. The water levels at the dam have however gone down and council is now working on a permanent solution.
Gwanda Mayor, Alderman Thulani Moyo said the council has received US$50 000 which has been used to purchase new pipes and other water infrastructure such as pumps. Works include replacing a dual pipeline which suctions water from the ware to the pump station.
He said the target is to have all pipelines working by Saturday to ensure undisrupted water supply to the town.
Residents have now turned to limited boreholes in their suburbs but they fear that if the situation is not addressed soon there might be an outbreak of diseases. While residents are accessing water from boreholes there is an outcry over non availability of water in institutions, business premises thereby causing a health threat.
Alderman Moyo said in the meantime the council has assisted institutions that include the Gwanda Prison, Gwanda Provincial Hospital and Gwanda Old People’s Home with water bowsers. Alderman Moyo said boreholes that have been drilled across the town and institutions have been assisting residents.
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Bunjiwe Mkwananzi