Itai Muzondo
Masvingo – Masvingo City Mayor Hubert Fidze has urged residents to use water sparingly as levels in the city’s main water source; Lake Mutirikwi, have drastically fell to an alarming 7.6 percent.
Speaking to TellZim News, Mayor Hubert Fidze, said if no considerable rainfalls are recorded, the city will run dry within a period of two weeks.
“We are at risk of running dry. The main challenge is that water levels are running low at a time when no rainfall has been recorded and we are experiencing very high temperatures. Residents are the only people who can save us from the looming danger by using water wisely.
“Currently the water level is at 7.6% meaning we have only 2.5% to use because when water levels drop to 5%, authorities will have to shut down. In the previous two weeks, the water level was on 9% and today (Tuesday) it’s 7.6%. So if we continue with irrational use of water, we will soon be dry,” Fidze said.
Meanwhile, Masvingo City Council recently announced that the installation of an emergency water pump at Lake Mutirikwi would cost an estimated US$1.5 billion. The council also had plans to rehabilitate seven boreholes sunk during the 1992 drought though economic challenges saw the City fathers failing to meet the goal.news