daniel chigunwe
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke
Senior Reporter
The perennial water supply challenge in Harare has prompted the Government to initiate moves to resolve the problem and ensure the capital’s residents have enough potable water.
Most suburbs in the city have been facing water shortages for several years now which some residents say could be responsible for fuelling diarrhoeal disease outbreaks.
This has forced residents in some areas to buy water from private suppliers, a more expensive option compared to municipal water supplies.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere yesterday said a technical committee had been put in place by the Government to improve the water supply situation.
“Cabinet reports that in order to increase water production to 520 megalitres per day, there is need to supply water treatment chemicals; the rehabilitation works at Morton Jaffray Water Works, the rehabilitation and maintenance of Prince Edward Water Works and 312 boreholes drilled so far to augment water supply has been put in place,” he said.
The minister said the committee would also look into improving potable water supply coverage to the city from 40 percent to 60 percent.
For this to happen, he said there was need to rehabilitate water production at Morton Jaffray and Prince Edward Water Works as this would boost production capacity from the current 300 megalitres per day to 520 megalitres per day within the next 100 days.
“The nation is informed that in order to reduce non-revenue water from 59 percent to 55 percent, the replacement of pipes, meters, and pressure release valves in the distribution networks will be prioritised,” added Dr Muswere.
He said to improve sanitation, reduce sewer leakages and increase treatment of wastewater generated in the city to above 50 megalitres per day, the committee would prioritise upgrading of the Mbare main sewer, rehabilitation of Firle Sewage Works, rehabilitation of sewer trunk mains, rehabilitation of BNR at Crowborough Sewage Works and repair of Marlborough.
The objective is to increase sewage collection and increase wastewater treatment to 50 megalitres per day within the next 100 days.
“Cabinet reports that water production levels are improving and this is attributed to improved supply of chemicals. Production will further improve if the suggested associated technical interventions are implemented,” said the minister.
Online Reporter