Online Reporter
Precious Manomano
Zimbabwe has a robust water security situation, with most dams maintaining sufficient water stocks to meet both current and early summer irrigation needs.
Major dams supplying water to urban centres and rural service areas are also reporting adequate levels to fulfil domestic requirements.
In a statement, the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) head of corporate communications and marketing, Mrs Marjorie Munyonga, noted that although dam levels were receding due to prevailing high temperatures, which have increased water abstractions for irrigation and reduced inflows, the country remained in a firm water security position.
The national dam level average stands at 76,1 percent as of October 10.
“Despite these healthy dam levels, the Zimbabwe National Water Authority wishes to remind water users across the board that water is a finite resource that requires sustainable use. Users are, therefore, advised to use the available water efficiently,” she said.
Mrs Munyonga urged all users intending to draw water from national dams to approach ZINWA and sign water abstraction agreements to ensure their water allocations were reserved.
She emphasised that any water use without a water abstraction agreement contravenes the Water Act, disrupts proper water resource planning and management and deprives ZINWA of necessary revenues.
Mrs Munyonga said ZINWA was actively monitoring river channels for illegal water abstractions, encouraging the public to report any suspected illegal activities.
Statistics reveal varying capacities of key dams across the nation: Bubi-Lupane Dam is 75 percent full, Ngwenya Dam at 57,3 percent, Insukamini Dam at 70,7 percent, and Pollard Dam at 70,1 percent.
Other notable figures include Exchange Dam at 25,4 percent, Chivero Dam at 56,2 percent, and Manyame Dam at 73,7 percent. M
eanwhile, Harava Dam is at a critical 18 percent, while Biri Dam registers at 74,3 percent.
The Mazowe catchment also presents varied levels, with Mazowe Dam at 14 percent, Kushinga-Phikhelela Dam at 32,9 percent and Masembura at an impressive 87,8 percent.
In the Mzingwane catchment, Upper Ncema is at 35,7 percent, and Lower Ncema is at 14,1 percent, while Manyuchi Dam stands strong at 90,9 percent.
Tugwi Mukosi Dam boasts a remarkable 96,8 percent, with Mushandike at 71,1 percent.
Tinaye Agere