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Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
VICTORIA Falls residents have implored the municipality to take away management of raw water from the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa).
Speaking at a 2021 budget consultation meeting last week, residents also complained about the local authority’s billing system saying they were overburdened because water bills were too exorbitant. They said the local authority could reduce water rates by pumping water on its own from the Zambezi River.
Zinwa is pumping raw water from the river to the council water works from where the municipality distributes to residents. The municipality has over the years been struggling to get water management rights from Zinwa. This has resulted in confrontation between council and residents who have complained about paying water bills as high as between $2 000 and $3 000 per month per household. Participating at the meeting, residents said council should manage its own water.
“Let’s remove the burden from residents by taking water management rights from Zinwa, so that we draw our own water from the Zambezi River,” said Mr Christopher Ndiweni.
Residents also said water supply was erratic because of Zinwa’s lack of capacity.
“Sometimes there will be no water. Our meters are always not functioning because water comes out with mud. You should buy meters for residents and recover your money because we are tired of replacing meters,” said another resident.
Ward 11 Councillor Edmore Zhou said engagements are being made with Zinwa and encouraged residents to rally behind council on the issue. Residents also said council should consider charging hotels and lodges a certain fee and use the money for developmental projects.
Some complained that they have been paying street lights levy for the past 20 years yet the town remains without the facility.
There was massive vandalism of solar street lights installed by CBZ Bank in the newly built suburb where thieves stole solar panels and batteries. Responding to residents’ concerns, council treasurer Mr Neville Ndlovu said streets lights are a good public service paid for by every resident. He encouraged residents to come up with a priority list of projects they want the municipality to work on.
-@ncubeleon
Online Reporter