Health hazard looms as Gwanda runs dry

such as Senondo and Spitzkop.
Gwanda residents who spoke to Chronicle over the phone yesterday accused the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) of failing to provide adequate water service.
They expressed concern over the development, saying the situation was likely to result in an outbreak of diseases such as diarrhoea and typhoid.
“The whole town has no water as we speak and the situation is getting worse each day. We are in a desperate situation and it is sad that the council and Zinwa are not coming out in the open,” said a woman who identified herself as MaMpofu.
Another resident who declined to be named said the water-shedding schedule was not reasonable.
“The water cuts start at 4pm up to 8am the following day since last week. Suburbs such as Spitzkop have not had water from that time. There is a high possibility of a cholera outbreak because people no longer use toilets. How can we survive under such conditions?” said the resident.
Gwanda Mayor Councillor Lionel De Necker confirmed the development yesterday.
“The problem is that Zinwa was failing to pump water for 18 hours and was only pumping for nine hours.
“We had a round table meeting with them and resolved that they should revert to normal pumping with immediate effect,” said Clr De Necker.
“Zinwa said it was facing some challenges but we resolved to work with them as a council for the sake of the people of Gwanda. The issue is now water under the bridge.”
Clr De Necker said provision of water was a costly exercise and urged residents to assist the service providers by paying their bills.
“In light of the disease outbreak such as typhoid in other cities, we cannot sit back and relax. In that regard we would like to urge residents to update and pay their water bills.
“They should always remember that providing such a service is costly. Even if they cannot pay all the money at once they should visit the authorities and make payment plans,” he said.
Efforts to get comment from Zinwa Umzingwane Catchment manager Mr Tommy Rosen were fruitless.
His mobile phone was also not reachable.