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Sukoluhle Ndlovu, Midlands Correspondent
Shurugwi Town Council has received $690 000 through the Devolution Fund, to enable council to carry out water reticulation project, Shurugwi Town chairman Councillor Walter Gwinji has said.
Clr Gwinji said the water reticulation project seeks to enhance water supply, as Shurugwi’s major water source, Impali Dam is now below 20 percent which has resulted in serious water shortages in the mining town.
Bedevilling water shortages in Shurugwi have seen residents in other parts of the town going for more than three months without running water.
“We are currently working on water augmentation after Government availed $690 000 to the council. We have been facing serious water shortages as Impali Dam which is our main source of water is fast drying up,” he said.
Clr Gwinji said the fast growing population in the town due to mining activities has resulted in the town failing to cater for all residents.
“Our water system had debilitated and cannot support the population which continues to balloon in the town due to mining activities. Our water system needs a complete overhaul and that will be done as time goes on,” said Clr Gwinji.
Most local authorities in the country continue to battle with water shortages, as their major water sources are drying up.
Meanwhile, villagers in Mafuwe village, under Chief Masunda in Zvishavane have appealed to authorities to resolve the area’s water crisis, which has seen them go for more than six months without clean water. One villager Mr Sazini Dube said they have resorted to fetching water from unsafe water sources like dams and rivers.
“We are facing water crises and we are appealing to the Government to help drill boreholes in the area as we are now forced to share unsafe water from dams and rivers with animals. Some people travel more that 10 kilometres to nearby dams and rivers just to fetch water and its not safe especially for women and children,” she said.
Access to clean water remains a huge challenge especially in rural communities, as many are forced to fetch water for domestic use from unsafe water sources. The situation was worsened by erratic rains received last year.
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