State, partners in borehole drilling blitz

Livingstone Marufu
GOVERNMENT, in partnership with China and the European Union, will drill 12 500 boreholes countrywide to avert water shortages following a severe drought.
Environment, Water and Climate Change Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said over 10 000 boreholes would be rehabilitated in Mashonaland West, Midlands, Masvingo, Matabeleland North and South; and about 300 would be drilled in Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central and Manicaland through Chinese government support.
The minister said while rural dwellers were hardest hit by the effects of El-Nino, urbanites were not spared as national dam water levels averaged 51,2 percent.
The United Nations World Food Programme will also help build dams to mitigate water shortages.
“We are encouraging our city councils to harvest water in dams and other water sources to mitigate decreasing water levels. We have to make use of a variety of water harvesting and conservation techniques to harness and conserve the potentially scarce rain water,” said Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri in an interview with The Sunday Mail.
The El-Nino-induced drought has seen a sharp drop in dam water levels resulting in places like Bulawayo, Gwanda and Masvingo tightening their rationing schedules.
Bulawayo has a 20-month water supply, while Mutoko has 10, Gwanda seven, Karoi six and Beitbridge two.
In a bid to avert a serious water crisis in Beitbridge, Zinwa has started pumping water from Zhovhe Dam, upstream of the border town.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said, “We are happy with the US$10 million fund from the World Bank which will help us to improve access and efficiency in water services in selected growth centres. The ministry and Zinwa will rehabilitate the water systems in Lupane, Madziwa, Zimunya, Gutu, Nembudziya, Guruve and Mataga.
“The money will also be used to support the preparation of the National Water Resources Master Plan, the commercialisation of Zinwa and the establishment of a water supply and sanitation regulator.”