.…‘only
five months supplies remain’
five months supplies remain’
Tinaani Nyabereka
City
of Gweru has rung alarm bells over its precarious water supply situation
following revelations that its main supply dam, Gwenhoro, will run dry within
the next five months.
of Gweru has rung alarm bells over its precarious water supply situation
following revelations that its main supply dam, Gwenhoro, will run dry within
the next five months.
Addressing
residents at the commissioning of two refuse compactors at council offices
earlier this week, Mayor Josiah Makombe revealed that the dam was only 26
percent full.
residents at the commissioning of two refuse compactors at council offices
earlier this week, Mayor Josiah Makombe revealed that the dam was only 26
percent full.
He
said the city needed urgent financial support to transfer pumping equipment
from Gwenhoro to Amaphongokwe Dam.
said the city needed urgent financial support to transfer pumping equipment
from Gwenhoro to Amaphongokwe Dam.
“Let
me advise you that Gwenhoro Dam is now at 26 percent which translates to only
five months’ water supply considering the consumption patterns. Amaphongokwe is
at 75 percent which is enough to take us an additional 12 months but our
pumping facilities there are broken down and we cannot utilise the resource.
me advise you that Gwenhoro Dam is now at 26 percent which translates to only
five months’ water supply considering the consumption patterns. Amaphongokwe is
at 75 percent which is enough to take us an additional 12 months but our
pumping facilities there are broken down and we cannot utilise the resource.
“We
need rehabilitation works at our
treatment plant and raw pump stations (Gwenhoro and Amaphongokwe) which need replacement
of obsolete pumping equipment and the repair of mainlines and major fittings at
a cost of US$10 million.
need rehabilitation works at our
treatment plant and raw pump stations (Gwenhoro and Amaphongokwe) which need replacement
of obsolete pumping equipment and the repair of mainlines and major fittings at
a cost of US$10 million.
“The
city’s population of around 200 000 requires 60 million litres of water per day
plus industry demands 20 million litres which all adds up to 80 million litres.
Currently, we have an output of 40 – 43 million litres per day from Gwenhoro
and 1.5 million from White Waters Dam, giving us a total output of 43 – 44
million litres which is not enough for the city.
city’s population of around 200 000 requires 60 million litres of water per day
plus industry demands 20 million litres which all adds up to 80 million litres.
Currently, we have an output of 40 – 43 million litres per day from Gwenhoro
and 1.5 million from White Waters Dam, giving us a total output of 43 – 44
million litres which is not enough for the city.
“So
with the deficit of 15 million litres per day, we cannot fill our reservoirs
and such high-lying areas as Haben Park, Mkoba Village and Ridgemont being the
most affected areas,” said Makombe.
with the deficit of 15 million litres per day, we cannot fill our reservoirs
and such high-lying areas as Haben Park, Mkoba Village and Ridgemont being the
most affected areas,” said Makombe.
The
Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs, Larry Mavhima commended
Gweru City Council for acquiring the refuse trucks which he said will greatly
help to improve service delivery.
Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs, Larry Mavhima commended
Gweru City Council for acquiring the refuse trucks which he said will greatly
help to improve service delivery.
“I
call upon council to ensure the collection of refuse timeously and make sure the
heaping of litter in locations becomes a thing of the past. We don’t want to
suffer from such diseases as cholera again,” said Mavhima.
call upon council to ensure the collection of refuse timeously and make sure the
heaping of litter in locations becomes a thing of the past. We don’t want to
suffer from such diseases as cholera again,” said Mavhima.
