adminA pick-up weir is a holding dam where water from the supply dam is stored before going into the treatment plant.
Zinwa had cut its pumping hours from 18 to 12 hours following the detection of traces of cyanide in water stored at the pick-up weir.
In an interview on Wednesday, Umzingwane catchment manager Engineer Tommy Rosen confirmed the development.
“The system is now flushed out meaning that we have fresh water in our pick-up weir. We are now back to our normal pumping hours of 18 hours per day,” he said.
He, however, said that the source of contamination had not been traced as yet.
“The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) will continue with its investigations on the possible sources of water contamination. As Zinwa it becomes difficult for us to determine the source of contamination since the water has all been flushed out,” he said.
Eng Rosen said the possibility of water contamination recurrence could not be ruled out as the rainy season was still on.
For the past two weeks Gwanda Town residents have been faced with serious water shortages after Zinwa had reduced its pumping hours so as to effectively purify the contaminated water.
Zinwa was forced to use more chemicals than usual in the treatment of the contaminated water.
Meanwhile, a team of EMA specialists was in Gwanda Town last Friday to carry out its investigations.
Contacted for comment on their findings, the environmental education and publicity manager Mr Steady Kangata said the agency had preliminary results and was still gathering more information.
“’We have preliminary results from what we got on the ground, but we want that information to be supported so that we give you consolidated results,” he said.
The water situation has since improved in some parts of Gwanda Town although some high lying areas like Spitzkop North Extension are yet to see the change.
Zesa load shedding and repeated electricity faults have worsened the supply of water since pumping depends on power.
Online Reporter