National dam levels recede

Audrey Rundofa Herald Reporter
Water levels in most dams countrywide have started receding due to rising temperatures and reduced inflows.

Zinwa corporate communications and marketing manager Mrs Marjorie Munyonga, however, said major dams in most parts of the country still had enough water to supply cities, towns and farming communities until the rainy season.

Mazowe catchment is 100 percent full, while Gwayi and Mzingwane catchments are at 99 percent and Save catchment 98 percent full.

Manyame catchment dam level average is at 95 percent and Sanyati Catchment has the lowest dam level average at 87 percent.

“The authority appeals to all those wishing to abstract water from Zinwa managed dams to approach their respective catchment offices and sign water abstraction agreements as required by the law.

“Zinwa will not release water from the dams to unregistered users and has already put in place appropriate mechanisms to stop any illegal water abstractions along river channels,” she said.

Mrs Munyonga said using water without the necessary agreement constituted a criminal offence and offenders were liable to prosecution.

Zinwa has also embarked on a programme to construct weirs and repair small dams across the country under the National Water Harvesting Programme.

“Under the programme, Zinwa is providing technical assistance such as designs, bills of quantity and supervision of construction work for communities.

“The communities, through their local structures will be responsible for the mobilisation of other resources such as labour, cement and rocks for the construction process,” she said.