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old and requires urgent attention.
Investments have been made in the water sector but it appears the financial injections have been piecemeal as pipes continue to burst.
Water supplies are expected to normalise next week after pumping resumes on Sunday evening.
Normally it takes one to three days for pressure to build up in water reservoirs and ensure normal supply.
Only residents of western suburbs have been assured of water supply but previous experience has shown that each time there is such a big burst some sections of the western suburbs also suffer.
Harare Water director Engineer Christopher Zvobgo said the Morton Jaffray Plant will be closed to allow for repair work.
Up to 12 000 cubic metres of water are being lost daily since Thursday.
The leak is on the 1300mm pipeline that feeds water from the treatment plant to Warren Control pumping mains in Warren Park.
“To repair the mains, there is need of shutting down of all the six big pumps to allow welding to be done on the pipe.
“The pumps were shut last night (Friday) to allow work to commence early Saturday morning.
“Commissioning of the line will thereafter commence and full pumping is expected to be in place by 1200hr on the same Sunday,” he said.
Eng Zvobgo said there will be no water pumping to Warren Control and from Warren Control to reservoirs like Letombo, Alex Park, Orange Groove, Hogerty Hill, Marimba and others.
However, areas that get water from Lochnivar and Marimba reservoirs which are mainly the western suburbs will be accessing water with the exception of Mbare.
The water cuts will affect the industrial areas and Harare Hospital.
Online Reporter