Chronicle EditorLeonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) is rehabilitating water infrastructure and drilling boreholes in Hwange District’s Dete community to address perennial water problems facing the settlement.
Dete and surrounding communities have been facing serious water challenges, which recently saw three schools suspending lessons and learners sent home because they could not continue with lessons without water for drinking and flushing toilets.
Schools have resumed lessons, but learners are dismissed early as the water crisis persists.
They are getting water from nearby lodges and the National Railways of Zimbabwe.
Zinwa supplies water to the area and its equipment had been affected by constant breakdowns.
Zinwa spokesperson Mrs Marjorie Munyonga said the water challenges are a result of constant electricity blackouts in the area which affects the pumping system.
“Zinwa wishes to confirm that there currently are water supply challenges being experienced in Dete, one of the centres it provides with potable water. The water challenges are largely a result of the power outages being experienced in the area, which in turn affect water production and pumping,” Mrs Munyonga.
She said Zinwa is engaging the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) over the matter and hopes the power situation would be resolved soon.
She said in the meantime, work is underway to improve water infrastructure and sources.
“Zinwa is currently rehabilitating Dete water supply, which is now at a very advanced stage. On completion of the rehabilitation work, more boreholes would be added to the system to meet demand regardless of power outages,” said Mrs Munyonga.
She said the long-term solution is to have a dedicated power line so that the water supply can be spared the normal power outages.
Mrs Munyonga did not state how much Zinwa had set aside for these projects.
Government recently rolled out a programme to drill a borehole in each village and school countrywide to ensure there is sustainable water supply in every community.
Meanwhile, Hwange Rural District Council is considering using some of its Devolution Funds to improve water supply in Dete.
Ward 15 Councillor Stanley Torima said the council can allocate $1,5 million to drilling and installation of solar-powered boreholes.
“Zinwa is the authority responsible for water in Dete, but we have recommended that part of the Devolution Funds be allocated to solve water problems in Dete ahead of a sewer project that was about to take off.
We propose drilling four solar-powered boreholes for the schools and for the community in Mtuya and Bote. Solar-powered boreholes will be most ideal in this case and have to be prioritised before the rains start,” said Clr Torima.
The local authority received $10 million from Devolution Funds this year. — @ncubeleon
Londile Moyo
Bongani Ndlovu