Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo
Herald Reporter
THE Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) has launched a nationwide operation against illegal bulk water dealers, ZINWA head of corporate communications and marketing Mrs Marjorie Munyonga has said.
In a statement yesterday, Mrs Munyonga said the operation sought to protect bulk water consumers, while also bringing order and sanity in the bulk water delivery sub-sector.
“This follows reports and concerns from the public regarding illegal bulk water delivery and abstraction in different towns, putting public health at risk and in contravention of the law,” she said.
“This operation is being rolled out in accordance with Statutory Instrument 90 of 2013 which provides the legal framework for the operation of bulk water dealers.”
Mrs Munyonga said in terms of the law, all bulk water dealers, who include operators of bulk water sources and bulk water delivery truckers, should be registered with ZINWA.
She added that the abstraction of raw water from residential areas was illegal unless specific authority to do so has been granted.
“ZINWA is also empowered to randomly collect water samples from bulk water sources and trucks and have such samples examined for water quality compliance.
“Bulk water dealers, including owners of boreholes from which bulk water is abstracted, have an obligation to maintain proper records of water abstractions from their sites,” said Mrs Munyonga.
In this blitz, she said, ZINWA will be working closely with law enforcement agencies and other organs mandated to help regulate bulk water businesses.
“Bulk water dealers are strongly advised to fully cooperate with ZINWA teams during this operation, while the public can also report illegal or any suspected illegal bulk water activities to ZINWA,” said Mrs Munyonga.
