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Herald Reporter
The Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme came to the rescue of Guruve residents following an accidental cyanide spillage at Eureka Gold Mine resulting in the contamination of the town’s water source, Dande River.
Through the Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme being implemented by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zimbabwe Water Authority), 11 solar powered boreholes were swiftly sunk in Guruve to ensure water supplies to residents.
Guruve chief executive officer Mr Tinos Marisa confirmed that the area had been experiencing water shortages after the Eureka mine spillage but referred questions to Zinwa, which provides water to the small town.
Zinwa spokesperson Mrs Marjorie Munyonga said the water authority recently received reports of the contamination of Dande River, the raw water source for Guruve.
“Upon receiving the reports and as a precautionary measure, Zinwa suspended water production at the authority’s water treatment plant in Guruve to allow the Zinwa Quality Assurance Section and other stakeholders to carry out investigations.
“To ensure continued access to water by residents while investigations and possible remedial action were being taken, a total of 11 boreholes were drilled at Guruve Centre and nearby villages,” she said.
Mrs Munyonga, however, said the anomaly has since been addressed following tests, with the water source being declared safe.
Guruve residents were on cloud nine and hailinged the Government for providing them with alternative potable water sources.
One of the residents, Mrs Felistas Magomo said after the unfortunate incident, they were left hopeless but now they have an alternative source of clean water.
“This is a huge relief because we were in dire need of a solution. We did not know where we were going to get water after the incident but now we have hope,” she said.
Another resident, Mr Trymore Gatsi said, “We are grateful for the boreholes provided by the Presidential Scheme, and we are also thankful that the authorities took swift action to resolve the issue.”
Prevail Group International chairperson Dr Paul Tungwarara, whose firm has been contracted to drill the boreholes, said they swiftly reacted and provided the required water much to the relief of the villagers.
“This is our mandate to ensure that we step up into communities where there is a water crisis, we are ready to drill boreholes in every part of Zimbabwe in fulfilment of President Mnangagwa’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind,” said Dr Tungwarara.
Online Reporter