Online Reporter
Diana Nherera
Herald Reporter
NORTON Town Council held a special council meeting on Wednesday on the final draft of the feasibility study of a water treatment plant by the University of Zimbabwe.
Norton chairperson Councillor Action Mataruse said the UZ team presented a report to Norton Town Council.
“I am happy because now we have a report. We now know where we will be getting our water from once the treatment plant has been constructed, and the dams from which we will draw the water,” he said.
“For example, in the report, they mentioned that Manyame Dam is the best to get water compared to Lake Chivero, which is said to be contaminated but is still an option.”
“We were also given the costs for the water treatment plant. They said it will cost the council $58 million for the construction of the treatment plant and to get water from Manyame. So that is the cheapest route that they advised us to take. They also advised us to get water from Mupfure River so that Norton can continue to receive water.”
He appealed to companies interested in partnering with Norton in the construction of the plant to come forward in order for residents of Norton to receive water.
“Our water tariffs are expensive as the water first goes to Harare, then comes back to Norton,” he said.
Norton Town Council acting public relations officer, Mr Leeroy Kaponda, said the special council meeting was about the presentation of the final draft report for the feasibility study.
“Norton Town Council intends to construct its water treatment plant and it engaged the University of Zimbabwe to assist in carrying out the study, which we are going to be using when looking for investors or partners to construct the plant,” he said.
“So the discussion was based on water sources which we intend to be using and there were submissions relating to Manyame and Lake Chivero. The report is a guide for the council in making an informed decision.”
Mr Kaponda said council is expected to hold a symposium where prospective partners and investors will be invited to partner with Norton council for the construction of the plant.
Dean for the Faculty of Engineering and Environment at the University of Zimbabwe, Dr Charles Chavhunduka said the University of Zimbabwe team visited Norton town council as UZ was commissioned by the council to prepare a feasibility study for a water treatment plant which they want to build soon.
