Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Mutare Bureau
RUSAPE Town Council has acquired a high-lift water pump and electric motor for its water treatment plant as part of efforts to improve water supply in the town.
The equipment is expected to enhance the council’s capacity to pump treated water into the distribution network, addressing challenges that have affected the availability and reliability of water in some parts of the town.
The acquisition comes as the local authority continues to invest in critical water infrastructure to meet the needs of the growing population and improve service delivery.
The council’s public relations officer, Mr Lloyd Makumana, said the high-lift pump and electric motor would strengthen the pumping capacity of the water plant and contribute towards a more consistent supply of potable water to residents.
“We acquired a new high-lift water pump and electric motor for our main water treatment plant, Jack Needham Water Works, which supplies 60 percent of the town,” he said.
“This effort is to ensure consistency in water supply and reduce breakdowns in water provision in the town. The old equipment was experiencing frequent breakdowns, which affected pumping.
“We intend to overhaul our entire water supply infrastructure subject to funding availability. We continue to encourage residents to honour their obligations by paying up their bills on time so that critical works get funding.”
The development is also expected to reduce interruptions caused by inadequate or malfunctioning pumping equipment, while improving the efficiency of the water treatment and distribution system.
Mr Cosmas Mamombe, a resident of Mabvazuwa suburb, said investment in water infrastructure is beginning to pay off as water supply has vastly improved in the town.
He said they have been going for days without the precious liquid, which posed health challenges.
“The town has, over the past years, experienced water supply challenges, with some areas going for prolonged periods without adequate supplies,” he said.
“We were relying on untreated borehole water and this risked the outbreak of diseases such as cholera and typhoid.
“Water supply has vastly improved, and council now need to move to address the issue of burst pipes so that it does not lose treated water before it reaches consumers.”
The latest investment is therefore expected to complement other measures being undertaken by the local authority to improve water security in Rusape.
The council, which is vying for municipality status, is also expected to continue upgrading its water infrastructure as it works towards ensuring that residents have access to reliable and safe water supplies.
