Online Reporter
Diana Nherera
A MAJOR water infrastructure rehabilitation programme is underway in Waterfalls, where Helcraw Water, in partnership with Harare City Council, has begun replacing ageing water pipes along Pienaar Avenue and First Avenue to improve water supply efficiency and reduce leakages.
Ward 23 Councillor Stanley Manyenga said the project was expected to address longstanding challenges caused by deteriorating infrastructure that has resulted in unreliable supplies.
“We have begun work on replacing the pipes,” he said.
“The advantage of replacing the pipes is that we will have improved water efficiency.
“The problem that we have been facing in Ward 23 is that the infrastructure is very old.
“There have been many leakages, some visible and others underground. The pipes were very old and now that they are being replaced, we are hoping for a better and more efficient supply of water.”
Cllr Manyenga acknowledged that residents have experienced temporary water shortages during the replacement works, as sections of the network have had to be shut down to facilitate construction.
“While Helcraw Water is replacing the pipes, water has at times been scarce. It has not been available to the level residents expect because some supplies have had to be switched off to allow the work to proceed,” he said.
“However, we are hopeful that once the replacement exercise is completed, there will be improved availability of water and greater efficiency in the delivery of water to households.”
He said early observations from completed sections of the project had already demonstrated the benefits of the new infrastructure, although increased water pressure was exposing weaknesses in older pipes that are yet to be replaced.
“We have discovered that in areas where the work has been completed, the restored water supply comes with much higher pressure. This is causing bursts in some of the old pipes that are still connected to homes and other roads,” said Cllr Manyenga.
“Hopefully, by the end of the programme, if all the old pipes are replaced with new ones, water efficiency and reliability will improve for every household.”
The pipe replacement programme forms part of broader efforts to modernise Harare’s ageing water infrastructure, much of which has exceeded its intended lifespan.
Old and damaged pipelines have contributed to significant water losses through leaks and bursts, affecting water availability in many suburbs.
