Online Reporter
Tanaka Nkala Online reporter
Residents across Bulawayo are facing widespread water supply disruptions following recurring power outages at key pump stations that supply raw water to the city’s treatment works.
In a public notice issued on Saturday, Bulawayo Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube said the interruptions were triggered by electricity faults that began last Wednesday, affecting operations at the Umzingwane and Inyankuni Pump Stations.
“The outages have disrupted the pumping of raw water into the city’s supply system, significantly reducing water available for treatment and distribution,” he said.
The two strategic installations Umzingwane Pump Station and Inyankuni Pump Station collectively deliver approximately 40 megalitres of raw water per day to Bulawayo’s treatment works.
Their temporary shutdown has created a ripple effect across the city’s water network.
“The recurring power outages started on Wednesday following faults on the electricity transformers interrupting the pumping of water to the City,” he said.
Mr Dube said the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) is prioritising restoration of a stable electricity supply to the affected pump stations, which are considered critical to the functioning of Bulawayo’s water system.
Compounding the situation, additional pumping stations that feed treated water into residential reservoirs have also been hit by electricity interruptions.
The Rochester Pump Station and Cowdray Park Pump Station which supply water to the Magwegwe Reservoir have reportedly been offline since Thursday.
“These stations have affected reservoir levels and reduced treated water availability across the distribution network,” he said.
As a result, residents in several suburbs are likely to experience either complete water cuts or temporary supply disruptions until power is fully restored.
The City of Bulawayo said it is closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with ZETDC and will provide updates as restoration efforts progress.
“No firm timeline has yet been given for the full resumption of normal water supplies.” Mr Dube said.
Water supply interruptions have long been a concern for Bulawayo residents particularly during periods of infrastructure strain or reduced dam levels.
The latest disruptions highlight the vulnerability of essential services to electricity instability especially at installations that rely entirely on consistent power to pump and treat water.
Residents and stakeholders have been urged to use available water sparingly during the outage period to help maintain essential supplies.
While ZETDC has indicated that it is prioritising repairs to the faulty transformers the situation underscores the interconnectedness of electricity and water infrastructure in urban service delivery.
City officials have reassured residents that once stable power is restored to the pump stations raw water abstraction and treatment processes will resume immediately allowing reservoirs to gradually recover and normal distribution schedules to be reinstated.
Bulawayo residents are being encouraged to remain patient and cooperate with water conservation measures as authorities work to resolve the power supply challenges affecting the city’s critical water infrastructure.
