Water barons cash in on desperate residents

Municipal Reporter

Water barons selling the precious liquid in Epworth have doubled prices, as the local authority has for years struggled to provide  reliable supplies.

The development comes at a time the country is battling with Covid-19, which has claimed thousands of lives and infected millions across the globe.

Our news crew visited Epworth on Tuesday where it observed one of the water barons selling the precious liquid.

Along Domboromwari area our crew caught up with residents queuing for water at a white Toyota Canter open truck , with a 20 litre bucket being sold for $10. Less than two months ago the same was going for $5.

Epworth Resident Mr Peter Nyapeto blamed the council for failing to prioritise service delivery like water provision which is a necessity.

“Unscrupulous  people are taking advantage of the challenges and making a giant killing,” he said.

Mrs Evelyn Shamo said dwindling water levels in their wells had contributed to the hike.

“This is now a norm by water barons to hike prices during this summer period when water levels will be low in our wells.

“Our plea is for the council to provide us with potable water. We voted for the councillors who promised us improved service delivery, but nothing has changed,” she said.

Epworth board chairperson Gift July yesterday said while there may be an influx of water barons in the area, on their side water supplies had actually improved improving.

“We have improved a lot on water supplies to our residents, except for ward 1, 2 and 4.

“We have drilled 18 boreholes using devolution funds. Those with high yield of water have been upgraded to solar powered,” he said. Epworth has always bought bulk water from Harare and has no dams and or a water treatment plant of its own. 

The cut back in Harare water treatment has seen supplies to Epworth slashed.

The council, like Harare, has drilled a some boreholes, but the number is inadequate.

At public boreholes, chaos continues to reign supreme as people bent on making a quick buck have moved in and taken control of the queues.