Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera
Herald Reporter
THE Zimbabwe National Water Authority has dispelled rumours circulating among farmers regarding the transfer of water from Muchekeranwa to Wenimbe Dam, clarifying that the construction of the pipeline is still underway.
Zinwa head corporate communications and marketing, Mrs Marjorie Munyonga said this in response to concerns raised by farmers.
Muchekeranwa Dam is situated on the border of Manicaland and Mashonaland East provinces while Wenimbe is in Mashonaland East.
“Reports that the authority is transferring water from Muchekeranwa Dam to Wenimbi Dam are false and unfounded.
“While water transfers from one dam to another are standard in water resources management, there is currently no infrastructure to move water from Muchekeranwa to Wenimbi Dam until such a time the construction of a pipeline linking the two water bodies, which is currently underway, is completed,” she said.
Zinwa advised farmers using water from Muchekeranwa Dam to disregard these reports and continue with their irrigation activities.
“Farmers intending to use water from the same dam are encouraged to come forward and sign water abstraction agreements with us so that the authority can reserve their allocations in the dam.
“Should farmers have queries or concerns regarding their water allocations, they can always approach the relevant ZINWA offices for assistance,” she said.
As of September 15, Muchekeranwa Dam, which is mainly used for irrigation was 49,3 percent full.
There had been concerns by farmers that Zinwa was moving water from Muchekeranwa to Wenimbe dam in Marondera area.
Farmers were concerned that the alleged movement of water would affect their wheat, irrigated tobacco and other horticultural crops’ irrigation scheduling activities.
Concerned farmers also urged the authority to tackle the issue of stream bank cultivation along Mucheke River which could cause siltation of the dam.
Meanwhile, Zinwa yesterday in its national dam level update revealed that most dams were holding sufficient water to meet the current and early summer irrigation requirements.
According to the authority, dams supplying water to major cities, towns, growth points and rural service centres also had adequate water stocks to meet the domestic water requirements in the towns and cities.
“While dams are on a downward trajectory, consistent with high temperatures, increased water abstractions for irrigation and the absence of inflows, the country remains on a firm water security position with the average national dam level standing at 79 percent as at September 15.
“However, despite these high dam levels, the authority wishes to remind water users across the board that water remains a finite resource that requires efficient and sustainable use,” Zinwa said.
Any water use without a water abstraction agreement is in violation of the law and distorts proper water resources planning and management.
Zinwa this year implemented the seasonal billing mechanism allowing farmers access to water for their winter cropping requirements and with payment only effected upon receipt of produce payment at marketing time.
