Chronicle Editor
Nothando Zondo, Sunday News Reporter
MORE than 200 households have benefited from the solar-powered boreholes and piped water schemes in Insiza District as part of the Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme.
The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa)-led Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme is aimed at providing safe and clean water to communities in Zimbabwe and it involves the installation of solar-powered boreholes equipped with water storage tanks and a one-hectare drip irrigation scheme.
Last month, Insiza District received three solarised boreholes in Montrose 7b, Montrose 1 and Gumbalo as part of this initiative.
Speaking to Sunday News on Wednesday, Insiza District Engineer, Mthoniselwa Ndebele said the boreholes were of great assistance to the communities who are affected by the El Nino conditions.
“The solarisation of the boreholes will bring about significant improvements in the livelihoods of the communities, particularly in the current El Nino state. With reduced time spent fetching water, community members will have more time for economic activities and family. The accompanying gardens will contribute to the nutrition of the communities, addressing concerns related to food security and nutrition exacerbated by the El Nino-induced drought and its impact on food security and health,” he said.
Eng Ndebele said the provision of water to the community will reduce gender-based violence cases as conflicts over water in families will be reduced.
He added that the district now has a total of 26 solarised boreholes, which cover areas from Ward One to 19 and each of the boreholes servicing on average 70 homesteads depending on the circumstances around the communities. Schools have also been installed with the boreholes and between 200 to 700 pupils are benefiting from easy access to water.
“The solarised boreholes are installed in educational institutions and various communities within Insiza District. Specifically, Insiza Primary School has one borehole, while Wards One and Two each have two boreholes. Other communities such as Maduna, Lufuse, and Knocknarah, among others, have one borehole each,” he explained.
He mentioned that in addition to the Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme, the rural district council has also undertaken borehole drilling initiatives using devolution funds.
Collaborative efforts with partners such as Welthungerhilfe and Lutheran Development Services have been instrumental in complementing the Government’s efforts to provide safe water for the communities.
“The piped water schemes from the solarised boreholes have also increased coverage of safe water supply to the communities as more have been reached through piped water schemes. The solarised boreholes bring relief to the communities, the local authority and Government departments in the district. The numerous breakdowns of hand pumps and shortage of spare parts has been made a thing of the past. This reduces the borehole maintenance budgets significantly. Electricity as a source of power for water supply is saved through the use of solar systems, which also eliminates the payment of monthly bills,” said Eng Ndebele.
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