Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
GWERU City Council (GCC) needs an estimated US$447,3 million to overhaul the city’s water and sewer infrastructure, as it moves to end persistent water shortages and ensure reliable supplies to all suburbs by 2030.
The proposed investment will fund the upgrading of Gwenhoro Water Treatment Works, construction of a new dam and water treatment plant, rehabilitation of ageing pipelines and modernisation of the sewer system.
The ambitious programme comes as the city struggles to meet its daily water demand of 125 megalitres, against production of about 50 megalitres, leaving residents in most suburbs receiving supplies only twice or three times a week.
Gweru Mayor Councillor Martin Chivhoko said the proposed water supply projects alone would cost approximately US$369,3 million, with the figure rising to US$447,3 million when the sewer system rehabilitation is included.
In an interview, Clr Chivhoko said the existing water treatment infrastructure was inadequate to meet the city’s growing demand, while power cuts, pump breakdowns and ageing distribution networks continued to compromise supplies.
“As a local authority, we need an estimated US$447,3 million to overhaul the city’s water and sewer infrastructure, as it moves to end persistent water shortages and ensure reliable supplies to all suburbs by 2030,” he said.
Gwenhoro Water Treatment Works, the Mayor said, has a design capacity of 63 megalitres per day, while Whitewaters Treatment Works can process 4,4 megalitres daily, giving the two facilities a combined installed capacity of 67,4 megalitres.
“However, actual production averages about 50 megalitres per day under favourable operating conditions, further widening the gap between demand and available supplies,” said Clr Chivhoko.
He said rapid population growth and urbanisation were placing additional pressure on the city’s water infrastructure, making substantial investment necessary to improve service delivery.
Under the proposed programme, Clr Chivhoko said council intends to upgrade Gwenhoro Water Treatment Works to a capacity of 125 megalitres per day, construct a new dam with a storage capacity of 100 000 megalitres and establish another treatment plant capable of processing 105 megalitres daily.
“The Gwenhoro upgrade, which is Phase One of the programme, is estimated to cost US$98 million, while construction of the proposed dam will require approximately US$100 million.
The new treatment plant, planned under Phase Two, is estimated to cost US$166 million, “ he said.
Clr Chivhoko said other components include a new booster station at US$4 million, transmission and distribution pipeline works estimated at US$1 million and a US$300 000 consultancy to assess the city’s water and sewer infrastructure.
He said the location of the proposed dam would be determined through detailed feasibility studies, hydrological assessments, geotechnical investigations and an environmental impact assessment.
“The process would also involve securing water permits from the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), acquiring land and consulting stakeholders who could be affected by the project,” he said.
However, the Mayor acknowledged that the scale of the proposed investments is beyond councils’ internal financial capacity and will require external financing.
“Possible funding arrangements include loans, Government guarantees, support from development partners and public-private partnerships,” he said.
Clr Chivhoko said the successful implementation of the programme would depend on bankable feasibility studies, clear project designs, phased construction and reforms to improve revenue collection and cost recovery.
He said Council would also prioritise rehabilitating existing infrastructure and reducing non-revenue water before embarking on some of the major projects.
“Without these conditions, the projects will remain plans on paper,” he said.
Meanwhile, Clr Chivhoko said council is targeting water losses arising from burst pipes, leakages and inefficiencies in the distribution network, which significantly reduce the volume of treated water reaching consumers.
“Estimates show that non-revenue water accounts for between 35 and 40 percent of supplies, underscoring the need for improved monitoring, maintenance and management of the distribution system,” he said.
Clr Chivhoko said council planned to install bulk water meters along transmission and distribution lines at an estimated cost of US$25 000, which would be financed from its own resources.
The local authority also intends to rehabilitate transmission and distribution pipelines at an estimated cost of US$1 million, with the project expected to be financed through borrowing.
“Other measures include strengthening leak detection and repair teams, managing water pressure, replacing ageing pipes, regularising illegal connections and improving metering and billing systems,” he said.
Clr Chivhoko said the interventions were aimed at establishing a sustainable water supply system capable of supporting Gweru’s growing population and economic activities.
He said the council’s strategic planning process had provided an opportunity to map out infrastructure investments and align the city’s development priorities with the national Vision 2030 agenda.
“Achieving reliable water supplies across all suburbs by 2030 will, however, depend on our ability to mobilise funding, implement the proposed dam and treatment plant projects, upgrade
Gwenhoro and rehabilitate the distribution network while significantly reducing water losses, “ he said.
Clr Chivhoko said the local authority remains committed to updating residents as feasibility studies, funding negotiations and implementation plans progress.
