Online Reporter
Remember Deketeke
Municipal Correspondent
HARARE residents could soon enjoy a marked improvement in water supply following the launch of a major rehabilitation programme at Morton Jaffray Waterworks expected to unlock more than 75 megalitres of the precious liquid per day.
The City of Harare, working in partnership with Helcraw Water, has embarked on a multi-million-dollar refurbishment project targeting key treatment and pumping infrastructure at the capital’s principal water treatment plant.
The intervention has already plugged treated water leakages, restored critical equipment and paved the way for the installation of new high-capacity pumps expected to significantly enhance water production and distribution across the city.
Harare Water managing director Mr Zodeck Muchoko said the rehabilitation programme was being implemented in phases, beginning with efforts to stop water losses that had been affecting production efficiency.
“The first thing that we did was to assist in sealing leakages that were resulting in the loss of treated water at Morton Jaffray,” he said.
“We successfully sealed those leakages and managed to save about five megalitres of water, which is now going to our residents.”
The recovery of treated water, although relatively small compared to the plant’s overall output, represents an important efficiency gain at a time when demand continues to outstrip supply.
Attention has now shifted to replacing ageing mechanical equipment that has constrained production for years.
Mr Muchoko said a new industrial air compressor had been procured from Germany and installed, with commissioning now imminent.
“We bought a new compressor from Germany. It is now in the country and has been installed, awaiting commissioning.”
The compressor plays a critical role in the treatment process by controlling pneumatic valves that regulate filtration and filter-cleaning operations.
Morton Jaffray’s 36 filtration units, which have a combined design capacity of 454 megalitres per day, depend on a reliable compressed-air system to function efficiently.
Officials said the new compressor replaces ageing units that had exceeded their operational lifespan, while a second compressor will be installed later to improve system reliability and redundancy.
A major milestone has also been achieved in the replacement of high-lift pumps that transmit treated water into the city’s distribution network.
“We also procured four major pumps, seven to 10,” said Mr Muchoko.
“These have already been manufactured and are ready for shipment. Last week, the City of Harare team and the contractor travelled to China for a factory acceptance test.
“The pumps were tested, found to be in good condition and are now in the process of being shipped.”
The first batch of pumps is expected to be installed and commissioned before the end of the year.
City of Harare is simultaneously rehabilitating six filter beds, a project expected to significantly increase treatment capacity.
Acting Town Clerk Mr Warren Chiwawa said the pumping upgrades were designed to match the additional treatment capacity being created through ongoing rehabilitation works.
“The designed capacity of pumps seven to 10 is 227 megalitres per day, with three pumps operating in parallel and one on standby.”
