Chronicle Editor
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
THE completion of an 11,4 megalitre reservoir which is part of the US$300 million Beitbridge Border Post transformation is set to boost the town’s water supply.
The reservoir is expected to start servicing the town by the end of next month.
Water shortages had in the past become a perennial challenge in the country’s fastest-growing town but since the advent of the New Dispensation, these challenges have gradually been addressed.
The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) has since handed over water management to the Beitbridge Municipality as part of Government interventions meant to ease water supply problems.
Completion of the new reservoir that is part of the out-of-port works, will increase the town’s water storage capacity.
Beitbridge town, which has an estimated population of 70 000 people and another 15 000 people in transit daily, requires at least 18 megalitres of water a day.
The storage facilities at the moment can only carry 10,4 megalitres a day.
Zimborders Consortium’s chief executive officer, Mr Francois Diedrechsen said the newly-constructed reservoir will be handed over to council soon.
“The reservoir and pipeline will be completed by the end of August and handed over to council which will then connect it to the town’s water supply system,” he said.
Mr Diedrechsen said a new fire station and the sewer oxidation dam have been completed and handed over to the Government.
He said the plant and animal quarantine centre will be completed and handed over by end of September.
The final out-of-port works being the housing development, Mr Diedrechsen said, will be completed and handed to the Government by the end of March 2023.
He said Phase 3 of the in-port works, which is the construction of the light vehicles terminal, was on schedule and set to be completed by end of November this year.
Beitbridge town clerk, Mr Loud Ramakgapola said: “We welcome the construction of the water reservoir. It will increase our storage capacity to 22ML, which is enough to supply the town for one and a half days.
“Additionally it will improve pressure in high lying areas and address water availability issues to areas that were receiving water intermittently”.
According to Beitbridge town council’s population growth projections, there is need to increase the capacity of water storage to at least 54 mega litres, enough for three days.
A resident of the Tshidixwa suburb, Mr John Mazana said the upgrading of water infrastructure was very critical.
“This development has a very positive impact on council’s service delivery. Quality water, good sanitation and hygiene facilities have long-term benefits to the community,” he said.
A local businessman, Mr Misheck Ndou, said the availability of water was key to attracting investment to the border town.
He said the business sector and residents of Beitbridge were excited about the improved water reticulation facilities.
“Our hope is that by the year-end, the whole town will be connected and each household will be receiving portable water. We commend the Government for doing such a great job, we thank the President for the approval of this project which has resulted in infrastructure development in Beitbridge,” said Mr Ndou.
Miss Thandeka-Ruvimbo Mukandatsama of Vhembe View suburb said it was important for water reticulation infrastructure to be upgraded in line with the ongoing transformation of the town.
“This town is growing and developing fast in terms of population so there is a need to increase water supply to meet the high demand,” she said – @tupeyo
Online Reporter