malvernmugadzikwa
Malven Mugadzikwa
BUSINESSES operating in Chitungwiza are now at risk of closing after the drastic reduction of water supplies from the local authority following the decommissioning of Prince Edward Water Treatment Plant by the City of Harare at the end of August.
Chitungwiza Business Community Trust chairperson Mr Tendai Mareya said businesses in Chitungwiza are resorting to purchasing bulk water.
Last week, Chitungwiza Municipality announced that it was facing a serious water crisis.
“Way before the announcement, we were already having water challenges and the situation has now worsened. We are now buying water from individuals and fetching water from unprotected sources so that our businesses continue running,” said Mr Mareya.
The municipality, he added, was, however, still charging for water despite businesses running for days on end without the precious resource.
“The municipality is doing us a disservice by continuing to put fixed water charges, yet there has been no water supply even before the recent announcement about the decommissioning of the Prince Edward Water Treatment Plant.
“Generally, businesses are charged US$34 per month, yet they don’t have running water on their taps.”
He emphasised the need for the municipality to plan a way forward together with the business community.
Bongani Ndlovu