Masvingo allays water shortage fears

Walter Mswazie, Masvingo Correspondent
MASVINGO City Council has allayed fears of water shortages amid revelations that the water in Lake Mutirikwi, which supplies the city, will last until next year’s rain season.

City chief engineer Tawanda Gozo said the main supply dam had more than 50 percent water capacity enough to last beyond one year.

He, however, said the city was still facing challenges of pumping capacity as the present plant could only manage 30 mega-litres per day against a demand of 48 mega-litres per day.

The demand, he said, has been caused by population growth in Masvingo against the capacity of the plant installed before the country’s Independence in 1980.

“We have adequate water supplies for now that can last us beyond next year’s rainy season. Lake Mutirikwi, which is our main source of water is 54 percent full,” said Eng Gozo.

He said while the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) was still releasing water from the same dam to the Lowveld for the sugar cane plantations, the city was still safe even in the face of the impending El Nino-induced drought that the country is likely to experience this year.

El Nino is normally associated with prolonged droughts, little or no rainfall and flooding.

“We are still sharing the same water with the sugarcane plantations in Chiredzi but we are still in the right position. Residents should not expect any water challenges unless it is to do with our pumping challenges and souring debt of over $30 million they owe us,” said Eng Gozo.

“The two pumps that had broken down and left the city dry for close to two weeks have been reinstalled. We now have normal suppliers.” — @walterbmswazie2