City Of Bulawayo Recommissions Two Supply Dams
The City of Bulawayo has recommissioned two supply dams following significant inflows since the onset of the 2022/23 rainy season.
Bulawayo City Council (BCC) draws its water from six dams — Inyankuni, Mtshabezi, Insiza, Lower Ncema, Umzingwane and Upper Ncema.
According to the Southern Eye, Umzingwane was decommissioned last year in September due to low water levels and Upper Ncema a month later.
BCC then implemented a 72-hour water-shedding programme to manage the water in the four remaining dams.
The water-rationing programme is still being implemented despite the improved water levels at the dams.
In a notice issued on 20 February, town clerk Christopher Dube said that all supply dams were now back on line. Read the notice:
Insiza Mayfair is 73,16% full with 119 993 718 cubic metres of usable water, Inyankuni is 45,61% full with 33 610 310 cubic metres usable water, Lower Ncema is 30,96% full with 4 917 652 usable water, Umzingwane is 17,27% full with 5 926 960 cubic metres usable water, Upper Ncema is 41,68% full with 17 126 760 cubic metres usable water, and Mtshabezi is 74,75% full with 36 789 760 cubic metres usable water.
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) chairperson Ambrose Sibindi said the council should suspend water rationing. He said:
They must go further and suspend the water-shedding schedule for some months to give residents relief.
