Mkhosana water reservoir works charm residents

VICTORIA Falls residents have commended the local authority for the progress made so far in the construction of a water reservoir in Mkhosana.

The Victoria Falls City Council started constructing the US$4 million reservoir in June last year as part of the US$18m Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (Wash) project meant to address water supply challenges in the resort city.

ICP Integrated Construction was contracted to build a five-mega litre ground reservoir, 0,75 mega litre elevated storage tank and associated works in Mkhosana suburb near Moringa Shopping Centre.

The project is jointly funded by council and central Government through devolution funds.

It is hoped the completion of the project will greatly improve water supplies in line with the aspirations of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and Vision 2030.

The city has over the years been grappling with perennial water challenges, especially during the hot months due to lack of water storage facilities as the city pumps directly to users from the treatment plant.

The scope of the project includes upgrading of the aerodrome pump station and pumping lines, construction of a new five mega litres ground tank and 0,75 mega litres elevated tank to allow for pumping by gravity.

The completion of the project will result in over 98 percent of residents, especially in higher areas such as Mkhosana suburb accessing water.

Construction is over 65 percent complete and the base concrete pouring for the five millilitre ground reservoir and elevated reservoir foundations is complete.

Two-thirds of the column concrete has been poured with the last part which will accommodate holding bolts being done.

Ongoing works include reinforcement of stub columns while the local authority is working on shipping of tanks that were sourced outside the country.

In an interview, Victoria Falls Combined Residents Association chair Mr Kelvin Moyo said residents were excited about progress as they anticipate a permanent end to water challenges.

“Work is being done because the contractor is always on site. Recently, they have been digging trenches for pipes. We are happy that there is progress and we look forward to an improved water supply especially in the Mkhosana suburb,” he said.

Mr Moyo urged the local authority to continue updating residents.

In a recent interview, Victoria Falls Town Clerk, Mr Ronnie Dube, said the council was proud to be implementing the project using its own resources.

The rapid growth of Victoria Falls in terms of properties, hotels and population has put pressure on the city’s water supply, sewage reticulation, solid waste management, roads and drainage.

The situation has been worsened by old treatment plants that have developed leaks leading to loss of treated water.

The city pumps adequate water from the abstraction point at the Zambezi River, but the biggest challenge is the distribution of water due to lack of reservoirs, especially in high-lying areas like Mkhosana.

A Wash masterplan, which was done in 2016, recommended the construction of a water reservoir in Mkhosana.

The council has also appealed to residents to desist from clogging the drainage system resulting in sewer blockages and floods.—@ncubeleon