South African border officials have requested emergency water supplies from the Beitbridge Municipality after their water pumps were washed away by the swollen Limpopo River on three separate occasions.
During a water crisis meeting held last Thursday, Beitbridge Town Clerk Loud Ramakgapola told stakeholders that the council is exploring alternative revenue streams, as it is currently owed approximately US$80 million. Said Ramakgapola:
<blockquote>
Two officials from the South African border were in my office this week [last week] requesting that we restart supplying them with water. There is an existing pipeline we can bring back to life to supply. We badly need the revenue.
</blockquote>
He explained that, a few years ago, Beitbridge supplied water to the South African border post, a profitable arrangement that was discontinued once the border post became self-sufficient. Added Ramakgapola:
<blockquote>
But they lost three pumps washed away by the Limpopo (river) and their situation is desperate and we can bail them out as well as make some revenue for us.
The meeting held by the Beitbridge Municipality last Thursday sought ways to convince residents to settle bills amounting to around 43% of the US$80 million owed.
</blockquote>
Residents, who face erratic water supplies for at least three days each week, are reluctant to settle bills that constitute approximately 43% of the US$80 million owed to the local authority.
According to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200036931/sa-asks-for-water-from-zim">NewsDay</a>, a 20-litre container of water is sold for R2, while R100 can buy a household 1,000 litres of what has become a precious commodity in Beitbridge.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

South Africa asked Beitbridge Municipality for water because their pumps broke from the river. The municipality wants to sell water to South Africa to make money. They used to sell water before, but stopped when South Africa didn't need it. The municipality also wants residents to pay their bills to help with the money they owe. Residents don't want to pay because they don't always have water. A 20-liter container of water costs R2, while R100 can buy 1,000 liters. Water is becoming precious in Beitbridge.

Beitbridge Municipality To Sell Water To South Africa

The government is planning to privatise public services, like providing clean drinking water, because local councils haven’t been able to do their jobs properly.
During a “Media Meets Cabinet Ministers” interface, in Harare on Monday, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said they are already working on the steps needed to make this privatisation happen. Said Garwe:
<blockquote>
Last week Friday, we were given the green light to privatise water services. We are now in the process of inviting private sector players, both local and international, to bring proposals, and expressions of interest. These are going to be unsolicited bids.
We want somebody with the capacity to engineer, to procure, to construct and manage the finance. That’s the model that we are working on. Engineering, procurement, construction, management and finance.
These are unsolicited bids. So, as we speak, we’ve already received about five expressions of interest from local players and three from international players. So, it’s a work in progress.
By the end of next week, we would have identified the most suitable people that have applied and appointed them, at least signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and then a Memorandum of Agreement.
We want by the end of this month to have dealt with the issue of water in Harare.
</blockquote>
Garwe said ageing and poorly maintained council water systems are causing significant losses of treated water due to numerous leaks. He said:
<blockquote>
By the time it reaches a resident, it’s just a fraction of what has been purified. We are looking at an investor who comes and covers the whole value chain, from purification to distribution to billing and metering.
We want to move away from the old metre system to digital metre systems, the smart water metering systems. That’s what we are doing.
</blockquote>
He said Harare, Bulawayo, and Victoria Falls will be prioritized, but the privatization of potable water services will eventually extend to all urban councils nationwide.
Garwe also revealed that, in addition to water services, the government will privatise other services such as solid and liquid waste management systems to ensure issues like burst pipes are effectively addressed and resolved.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The government is going to let private companies provide clean drinking water in cities because the local councils haven't been doing a good job. They are already talking to companies who can do this. They want companies that can fix leaks, clean water, and manage money well. They want to use digital meters instead of old ones. First, they will start in Harare, Bulawayo, and Victoria Falls, but later all cities will have private water companies. They will also privatise other services like waste management to fix issues like burst pipes.

Government To Privatise Water Provision In Urban Areas

The government has issued a strong warning to people drilling boreholes in the Upper Gwayi Sub-Catchment area of Matabeleland North Province without proper registration with the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA).
In a notice dated September 12, which was seen by <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200032435/govt-raids-borehole-owners-unregistered-ones-to-pay-us150-fine">NewsDay</a>, the Upper Gwayi Sub-Catchment Council outlined the requirements for registering boreholes and wells and warned that those who fail to follow the proper procedures will be fined heavily.
The notice, which one D Mapolisa signed, was posted at Mhlahlandlela Government Complex in Bulawayo. It reads:
<blockquote>
Do you have a well or borehole? Is the well or borehole registered with the Upper Gwayi Sub-Catchment Council?
If your answers are yes to question 1 and no to question 2, please visit our offices and register your well or borehole and pay outstanding levies.
Failure to do so will attract legal penalties as stipulated in Statutory Instrument 206 of 2001 and section 118 of the Water Act [Chapter 20:24].
Please be advised that it is illegal to use water from a well/ borehole without a permit. You are advised to respond to this notice within seven days.
Every visit to your property will attract a non-compliance fee of US$150 if you fail to respond within the stipulated days. Consider this your first visit.
</blockquote>
Contacted for comment by NewsDay, ZINWA spokesperson Marjorie Munyonga said the water authority could not vouch for the authenticity of the letter in question.
However, she clarified that the Upper Gwayi Sub-Catchment Council is a legitimate organisation established under the Water Act.
Its duties include, among other responsibilities, the registration and monitoring of groundwater use. Said Munyonga:
<blockquote>
Sub-catchment councils, which are also legal entities separate from Zinwa, retain the responsibility of registering boreholes and issuing groundwater abstraction permits and are responsible for the maintenance of the registers for boreholes.
ZINWA only steps in to assist sub-catchment councils only in instances where they lack capacity to perform their mandate.
The public is advised that in accordance with the law, individuals or entities need to obtain authority to drill and deepen boreholes from their respective sub-catchment councils.
Boreholes drilled without registration require regularisation with sub-catchment councils as well. This ensures the sustainable utilisation of groundwater resources.
</blockquote>
According to the Water Act (Chapter 20:24) all borehole owners should register their boreholes with ZINWA or the nearest Catchment Council Offices.
All prospective borehole owners should get a permit for the drilling of a borehole from ZINWA or the nearest catchment council offices.
In 2023, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka said that groundwater use, just like surface water use, is governed by the Water Act (Chapter 20:24).
He said Section 3 of the Water Act vests all water in the President while Section 4 of the same Act prohibits private ownership of water.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

People in Matabeleland North Province must register their boreholes with ZINWA. If not, they will be fined. The council is checking and warning those who didn't follow the rules. ZINWA wants everyone to ask for permission before drilling a borehole. Landowners must get a permit to use groundwater legally. The government says water belongs to everyone and that it's important to use it wisely. If caught without a permit, people will have to pay a fine. Follow the rules and protect our water resources.

Owners Of Unregistered Boreholes To Pay Hefty Fines

The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) has warned about a potential humanitarian disaster in Harare and Chitungwiza following the decommissioning of the Prince Edward water treatment plant. This decision comes after the drying up of two critical water supply dams, Harava and Seke.
On Wednesday, 28 August, the City of Harare announced the closure of the water treatment plant, which processes water from the Harava and Seke dams for distribution to Chitungwiza and various parts of Harare, including Hatfield, Airport, Waterfalls, and Msasa.
The shutdown of the plant, located near Chitungwiza, is resulting in a daily loss of 70-80 megalitres of water, further exacerbating the already limited supply.
In a statement, CHRA warned that the decommissioning of the Prince Edward water purification plant could lead to serious health crises in both Chitungwiza and Harare. CHRA said:
<blockquote>
The CHRA is warning of a serious humanitarian disaster if urgent contingency plans are not put in place following the decommissioning of the Prince Edward water purification plant by the City of Harare due to the lack of raw water in the Seke and Harava dams.
This has increased the water supply deficit in the city and worsened the ongoing water crisis, impacting the residents of Harare and Chitungwiza.
We reiterate that the lack of raw water in the Seke and Harava dams due to the El Nino-induced drought is a reality of the impact and effects of climate change, which require inclusive climate action and disaster risk reduction planning for resilience building.
</blockquote>
CHRA urged local authorities and the central government to work together to provide alternative water supplies to Harare and Chitungwiza residents. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
Given the deepened water crisis, the government and local authorities (City of Harare and Chitungwiza Municipality) must set aside an emergency fund for the provision of alternative water supplies (mobile water bowsers), installation of online chlorinators on all public boreholes and distribution of chlorine tablets.
Development of inclusive disaster risk reduction and climate action plans at the community level for local resilience building.
The government needs to disburse meaningful amounts of devolution funds to the City of Harare, and these funds should be channelled towards financing of improving water infrastructure, in particular reduction of non-revenue water currently standing between 40-50%.
</blockquote>
On Friday, August 30, the Chitungwiza Municipality announced that it will start receiving water from Harare’s Morton Jaffray treatment plant every Friday through Sunday. The municipality plans to distribute this water to as many areas as possible upon its arrival.
Harare City Council’s water director, Phakamile Mabhena Moyo, recently informed the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Local Government that the water treatment capacity at Morton Jaffray is 614 megalitres (ML) per day.
In contrast, the capacity at Prince Edward is 90 ML per day. This brings the total capacity to 704 ML per day, intended to serve Harare, Chitungwiza, Norton, Ruwa, and areas extending to Inkomo Barracks.
Moyo noted that the daily water demand is approximately 800 ML, surpassing the production capacity of 704 ML.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The residents' association warns that Harare and Chitungwiza may face a crisis due to drying up of water dams. The water treatment plant had to close, causing a shortage of water in the area. This could lead to health problems for people. The association is urging the government to find alternative water sources and make plans to handle emergencies. Chitungwiza will start receiving water from another treatment plant. But, the demand for water is higher than what can be produced, leading to a serious problem.

Residents Association Warns Of Humanitarian Crisis After Dams Dry Up

Zimbabwe and South Africa on Thursday, 14 March, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at addressing water scarcity in Musina.
The agreement focuses on water supply from Beitbridge—a town in Zimbabwe—to Musina, a neighbouring town in South Africa.
According to <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/zimbabwe-and-south-africa-sign-mou-on-treated-water-supply-to-musina/">ZimLive</a>, the MoU was formalised between Zimbabwe’s Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Development, Anxious Masuka, and South Africa’s Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu.
The MoU allows for the transfer of approximately 15 million cubic meters of treated water per day from the Beitbridge water treatment works in Zimbabwe to Musina in South Africa. This will be facilitated through a 20-kilometer pipeline.
Musina, with an estimated population of 132,000 residing in 192 villages, faces challenges due to limited water sources. Currently, the town relies on borehole water.
South Africa’s Department of Water and Sanitation stated that the deal would significantly augment the water supply in Musina.
The freshwater from Beitbridge WTW will help alleviate water shortages in the town.
The Beitbridge Water Treatment Plant can produce 35 million cubic meters per annum (96 Ml/day). However, this capacity is currently not fully utilized within Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, and South Africa are all members of the Limpopo Watercourse Commission, an organization established to manage shared water resources among these four countries.
This collaborative effort aims to address water security challenges and enhance cooperation in managing vital water resources across borders.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe And South Africa Sign Water Supply Agreement

The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Anxious Masuka has reiterated the Government’s plans to sell water to South Africa, with an initial 15 million cubic litres set to be piped every month to Musina.
The pipeline is set to be constructed from Beitbridge’s massive Zhovhe Dam.
According to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/theindependent/local-news/article/200023328/zim-to-sell-15-million-cubic-litres-of-water-to-sa">The Independent</a>, Zhovhe Dam is the country’s 11th largest dam with a capacity of 133 million cubic litres.
Water is reportedly being released from the dam to recharge an alluvial aquifer in the lower Mzingwane River where water is abstracted from boreholes and well-points in the river and on the banks to feed a few but large commercial farms under citrus production. Said Masuka:
<blockquote>
Zhovhe Dam is idle and not making any sense to villagers who should have plots under irrigation.
We must build that pipeline and we have identified 4 000 hectares of irrigable land. Some of the water will be exported to Musina.
We will soon meet with our South African counterparts to discuss the stages of the deal. Initially we will supply 15 million cubic litres of water.
We will also open up land for irrigation in Beitbridge where communal farmers are expected to benefit from the Zhovhe.
There are 4 000 ha of land we expect communal farmers to put under crops.
</blockquote>
Masuka was addressing provincial ministers from some of the country’s 10 provinces he hosted to appeal for their support and management of agricultural projects.
South Africa already imports water from Lesotho, a tiny mountainous kingdom that has a large amount of water.
South Africa has a water deficit, particularly in Johannesburg which is located in the rain shadow of the Highlands.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe Plans To Export 15 Million Cubic Litres Of Water To SA

The City of Bulawayo has assured residents of the availability of water during the Christmas holiday despite a 120-hour water-shedding regime that has been in place for some time.
The local authority is now relying on two of its supply dams, Insiza and Mtshabezi. The city’s supply dams are Mtshabezi, Upper Ncema, Lower Ncema, Insiza and Umzingwane.
In a recent interview with <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/council-to-ease-water-shedding-over-christmas/">Sunday News</a>, City of Bulawayo Director of Engineering Services, Engineer Sikhumbuzo Ncube, said:
<blockquote>
Our wish has always been to have residents get uninterrupted water supplies during the Christmas holidays, which is why we implemented the five-day water shedding schedule in the first place, to allow inflows into our reservoirs.
We are now monitoring our reservoirs and we can say for now that residents will get uninterrupted supplies during the Christmas holidays.
However, the residents should also work with us by conserving the water because if consumption is high, reservoir levels will drop and we will be forced to implement stringent shedding measures.
</blockquote>
According to the latest dam levels, the city received slight inflows, standing at 44.47 per cent full, up from 43.59 per cent when the five-day shedding schedule was introduced.
Mtshabezi Dam is 72.95 percent full, Insiza Mayfair; 60.23 percent, Inyankuni; 31.42 percent, Upper Ncema; is 22.83 percent, Lower Ncema; is 22.83 percent and Umzingwane Dam is 5.71 percent full.
Bulawayo has perennial water challenges, and the Government is constructing a dam about six kilometres downstream of the confluence of the Gwayi and Shangani rivers under the National Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project (NMZWP) as a long-term measure to address the crisis.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo City Council Promises Residents Uninterrupted Water Supplies During Christmas

A power outage at Morton Jaffray waterworks on Monday afternoon affected the pumping of water to Harare residents at a time when Zimbabwe’s capital is battling a cholera outbreak.
In a statement released on Monday night, the City of Harare’s spokesperson Stanley Gama also revealed that Morton Jaffray’s alternative and dedicated Norton feeder line, which was lost over a month ago, is yet to be restored. Read the statement:
<blockquote>
Morton Jaffray experienced a power failure at 1430hrs today and as of 2130hrs, electricity was yet to be restored.
This has affected the pumping of water to residents. ZESA technicians have indicated that there might be a problem with the Parkridge Sub Station feeder and are working to restore the power.
Morton Jaffray’s alternative and dedicated Norton feeder line was lost on 17 October because of the storm that hit most parts of the country. ZESA is still to restore the dedicated line.
As a result of the power failure at Morton Jaffray, most of the city has no water. Morton Jaffray will resume pumping water to the city as soon as power is restored. In the meantime, we urge residents to use water sparingly.
</blockquote>
Last week, Harare deputy mayor Kudzai Kadzombe said that Harare needs 1200 mega litres for residents to get water daily but has a production capacity of 600ML.
Most of the time, the city produces 300ML which it shares with Ruwa, Norton, Epworth and Chitungwiza.
The City of Harare obtains its water supply from four dams; Lake Chivero, Lake Manyame, Harava Dam and Prince Edward Dam (which are also in the Manyame Catchment area and downstream of the City of Harare).
It is expected that when Kunzvi Dam located in Mashonaland East Province, is completed, Harare will get a cleaner water source and reduce the water treatment costs.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/11/18/president-mnangagwa-reverses-the-appointment-of-general-valerio-sibanda-to-zanu-pf-politburo/">Pindula News</a>

Harare's Water Crisis Worsens As Power Outage Hits Morton Jaffray Waterworks

The Bulawayo City Council said that it will continue to maintain the 72-hour water-shedding programme, amid indications that the city is left with just six months’ supply of water.
<a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/bulawayo-dams-drop-to-45-six-months-supply-left-lake-gwayi-shangani-scheduled-for-completion-next-year/">The Sunday News</a> reported City of Bulawayo spokesperson, Nesisa Mpofu, as saying the city’s water supply dams are less than 50% full at a time when water consumption is very high. She said:
<blockquote>
As we speak our dams are 45,19 percent full which means we are way below half and it is a critical time largely because we are in the hot season where consumption is bound to increase, so we are also calling on stakeholders to continuously conserve water.
From what we have seen, unfortunately, we have to maintain the water shedding because our dam levels are low.
We also have to be mindful that occasionally we do have electricity outages and when those occur, they affect our water provision services and as such you realise that water shedding schedules are affected meaning that other areas can go for more than the current schedule without water.
We also have challenges of pipe bursts, if we have a burst pipe within an area we have to shut down the whole system for the whole area until we resolve the problem.
</blockquote>
As of Friday, 17 November, Insiza was at 60.07 percent, Inyankuni 32.93 percent, Lower Ncema at 31.72 percent, Umzingwane at 4.13 percent, Upper Ncema at 22.35 percent and Mtshabezi at 74.51 percent.
The chairperson of the Future Water Supplies and Water Action committee, Clr Edwin Ndlovu said:
<blockquote>
The situation is very bad, so we need short-term, medium-term and long-term plans to solve the problem.
We have proposed as council to have another dam that can complement these other dams and there is a proposal of Glass Block Dam in Insiza which could provide about 70 percent of our water requirements as a city.
Government has expressed that it is already committed to the Lake Gwayi-Shangani project and as such cannot divert funds but we are saying we can bring in private players such as banks who are ready to do so and help construct the Glass Block Dam.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Anxious Masuka recently admitted that the Lake Gwayi-Shangani construction was behind schedule.
Speaking last Friday at the unveiling of a 20-member Bulawayo Water Technical Committee that was established by the Government to oversee the rapid improvement of water and sanitation services in Bulawayo over a 100-day period, Masuka said:
<blockquote>
Lake Gwayi-Shangani is now slightly behind schedule but we do hope to complete this project in the new year, the contracts for the pipeline have now been awarded, the contracts for the pumps for the various stations have also been awarded.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/11/18/president-mnangagwa-reverses-the-appointment-of-general-valerio-sibanda-to-zanu-pf-politburo/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo Left With Six Months' Supply Of Water

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has reportedly banned water in plastic bottles, food, and all forms of refreshments from Barbourfields Stadium as part of measures to curb the spread of cholera.
<a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/water-refreshments-banned-at-bf/">H-Metro</a> reported that on Sunday, 14 October, before the Highlanders/Cranborne Bullets match, bouncers ordered fans and journalists making their way into the VIP section of the stadium to leave water and any form of refreshments, even in plastic containers outside the stadium.
The private security hired to man the gates at the stadium told State media that they were enforcing a PSL directive.
A bouncer from a local gym told a group of supporters that they were only allowed to buy refreshments and water from the kiosk in the stadium. He said:
<blockquote>
We were told not to allow anyone with water, food or refreshments because of the cholera outbreak.
So, it’s either you drink your water, and refreshments and eat your food outside the stadium or leave your things with us and collect them after the game.
You can only buy refreshments and water in the kiosk in the stadium.
</blockquote>
PSL media and liaison officer Kudzai Bare professed ignorance over the ban. She said:
<blockquote>
The PSL is still enforcing the ban on alcohol as well as any items such as bottles, cans and cooler boxes which can be used as missiles by rioting fans. Let me check and get back to you.
</blockquote>
Cholera has killed dozens of people across the country amid fears that the outbreaks will worsen in urban areas as rainwater washes raw sewage into unprotected wells.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

PSL Bans Water, Refreshments From Barbourfields Stadium

The City of Bulawayo has cut off water supplies across the entire city indefinitely due to a Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission Distribution Company (ZETDC) power supply fault at Criterion Waterworks.
In a statement on 14 October, Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube said that the fault occurred on 12 October. He said:
<blockquote>
The public is hereby informed of the suspension of the 72-hour shedding programme and closure of water supplies to all City Areas.
This is due to a ZESA power supply fault to Criterion that occurred on Thursday the 12th of October at 20:00 hrs.
To protect the City’s supply reservoirs from collapsing as ZEIDC is still working on rectifying the fault water supplies to all City Areas are closed till power supply is restored at Criterion Waterworks and water treatment resumes.
Bulawayo City Council wishes to apologise to its valued consumers for the inconvenience likely to be caused.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo City In Total Water Supply Shutdown

The Harare City Council says its water treatment plants are constantly undergoing rehabilitation as it targets producing 536 megalitres a day by the end of the year.
Acting Director of Harare Water Victor Musikavanhu said currently water production ranged from 390 megalitres a day to 410 megalitres a day. Said Musikavanhu:
<blockquote>
We are targeting to produce 536ML/D by year-end hence the need for the ongoing rehabilitation of filters and clarifiers at Morton Jaffray Water Works.
</blockquote>
He said load shedding by the country’s power utility, ZESA Holdings, at various pump stations within residential areas as well as isolation of various sections of the network is negatively affecting water supply coverage.
As a result, several suburbs are going for weeks without water and electricity.
Musikavanhu said the total water production for the month ending 28th February 2023 was 8 101 395 ML which was a slight increase compared to water production in the month of January 2023.
However, the local authority was still facing challenges with the supply of water treatment chemicals. Said Musikavanhu:
<blockquote>
The chemical supply challenges were yet to be resolved as Zimphos was still to sustain Council’s daily aluminum requirements and work on the proposed Chlorine Dioxide technology was still to be completed.
</blockquote>
He said the total chemical cost for December 2022 was US$971 024.89 bringing the average chemical cost for a cubic meter to US$0.12.
On sewer blockages, Musikavanhu said a total of 2 353 blockages were cleared out of a total of 2 415 blockages indicating 97.4 percent cleared chokes of reported blockages.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Harare City Council Targets Producing 536 Megalitres Of Water A Day

Mpilo Central Hospital has been affected by the current water shortages in Bulawayo and this is forcing relatives of patients admitted at the hospital to bring water in containers.
Members of staff who spoke to <a href="https://cite.org.zw/byos-water-shortages-affect-mpilo-hospital/">CITE</a> on condition of anonymity said the hospital has been experiencing water challenges for the past two weeks. Said a staff member:
<blockquote>
The hospital did not have running water for the past two weeks. There is no water in the maternity ward.
They had said they would call the council, but we are not sure if they have called yet. Some wards now have water, but the pressure is very low.
</blockquote>
Chief Medical Officer for Mpilo Central Hospital Dr. Narcisius Dzvanga told CITE that the hospital depends on the Bulawayo City Council for water and when surrounding suburbs are cut off, they are also affected. He said:
<blockquote>
Mpilo does not have an independent BCC water supply. We are connected with other places, so we are equally affected.
We do have four functional boreholes unfortunately they are not directly connected to the hospital side.
This is because BCC refused to allow us to feed water into them from their systems.
We also have multiple jojo tanks that are strategically positioned around the hospital close to the wards.
We recently got assistance to draw water from them to the higher floors. The only challenge with them is that they fill up either through the bowsers or running water. If we get neither, then they will be empty.
</blockquote>
Dr. Dzvanga, however, said the City of Bulawayo has been very consistent in dispatching a bowser whenever there is prolonged water rationing.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo Water Crisis Affect Mpilo Central Hospital

The USAID Resilience Anchors has provided a clean water point for villagers in Ward 23 in Nyangambe village 2, Chiredzi, who were forced to travel long distances in search of safe water sources.
More than 600 inhabitants of the dry and arid community of Nyangambe valley conservancy were exposed to attacks by wildlife due to the long distances they had to travel to fetch water from open ponds, exposing them to waterborne diseases.
The installation of a solar-powered water point for the community by the USAID Resilience Anchors has been a boon for villagers.
The boreholes were installed as part of efforts to improve access to water for multi-purpose use and reduce human-wildlife conflict.
Svodai Musaingira (46), who came to the area as a bride many years ago, told <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/southerneye/news/article/200009274/water-project-offers-lifeline-for-arid-chiredzi-communities">Southern Eye</a> that they had been prone to wildlife attacks within the conservancy. She said:
<blockquote>
Before the start of this project, we had to walk over 5km in the early hours of the morning in search of water.
We would come back with large buckets of water on our heads so we would be able to sustain our families.
We have also been prone to attacks by wildlife within the conservancy as they would come out in their numbers to terrorise us.
But looking at it from another angle they would also be in search of clean water to drink.
We were frequently exposed to cholera because we would get water from dirty ponds, which animals such as dogs also relied on.
We now have access to clean water therefore we no longer have cases of cholera outbreaks.
</blockquote>
Another beneficiary of the project, Canias Chikamhi (53) who is the chairperson of the Nyangambe water point said:
<blockquote>
The water situation in our community was so bad that it was difficult for someone to access at least 20 litres of water.
We were happy when the Resilience Anchors came in and offered to help out with our situation.
Parents had to walk as long as 5km in search of water. Those distances could only be accessed by those with scotch carts. Children would also misbehave with those scotch carts leading to accidents.
Since we now have access to clean and potable water, we have not yet come across cases of cholera in the present day.
I cannot specifically remember how many years it has been since we experienced cholera, maybe six years back.
</blockquote>
Cases of human-wildlife conflict have been on the rise in recent years and this has been attributed to a population increase of both humans and wildlife, the effects of climate change, deforestation, illegal cutting of grass, and general mismanagement of natural resources.
Nyangambe Wildlife conservancy vice chairperson Joram Mutovo told Southern Eye said the water point project has greatly reduced human and wildlife conflict.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

USAID Water Project A Boon For Dry Chiredzi Communities

The City of Harare has resumed water production two days after shutting down its water treatment plants citing a shortage of Aluminium Sulphate.
On Friday, 10 February, <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/harare-city-announces-imminent-shutdown-of-water-production/">Harare City Council suspended water production</a> due to “critically low stocks of aluminium sulphate” which affected all parts of the city.
In a notice issued this Sunday, the local authority said it had received some aluminium sulphate from its supplier and had started treating water and pumping water. Reads the notice:
<blockquote>
We would like to notify the public that we have received some aluminium sulphate from our supplier and have started treating water and pumping water.
The water however remains low with one pump coming to Warren Control and channelled to Letombo. The other medium pump is going to the western suburbs.
We urge members of the public to use available water sparingly and be patient while Council addresses the water chemicals situation.
</blockquote>

City Of Harare Resumes Water Treatment And Pumping

The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) has increased water tariffs for both domestic and commercial consumers with effect from 1 December 2022.
In a statement, ZINWA said it raised tariffs in response to the recent rise in the cost of key water provision inputs such as fuel, electricity, and water treatment chemicals. It said:
<blockquote>
The ZINWA would like to advise its valued clients and stakeholders that it has, with effect from December 1, 2022, revised tariffs for both raw and treated water.
The tariff review is in response to the recent rise in the cost of key water provision inputs such as fuel, electricity, water treatment chemicals, and spares as well as the need for ZINWA to sustainably deliver service.
For treated water, the new tariff applies to clients on both the prepaid and postpaid metering systems.
Since water is billed in arrears, clients on the postpaid system should expect the new tariff on their December bills, which will be out in January 2023 while on the prepaid system, the tariffs take immediate effect.
</blockquote>

ZINWA Hikes Water Tariffs Effective 1 December 2022

The Harare City Council has advised residents that the current electricity crisis in the country has affected the local authority’s capacity to supply water to residents within the scheduled water rationing scheme.
Load shedding has intensified in the past month with consumers going for at least 18 hours a day without electricity.
The power utility, Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), is currently generating around 500MW against a peak demand of 2 200MW.
The electricity crisis has been attributed to recurrent breakdowns at the Hwange Thermal Power Station as well as receding water levels at Kariba Dam which supplies water for power generation to Zimbabwe’s only reliable power plant, the Kariba South power station.
In a post on its official social media handle on Monday, the City of Harare said the power cuts have negatively affected the pumping of water to residents. It said:
<blockquote>
The City of Harare wishes to advise all the residents and other stakeholders that the incessant power cuts have affected the scheduled water rationing scheme.
Some parts of the city which receive water through a series of pumping will be greatly affected. Any inconvenience caused is sincerely regretted.
</blockquote>
ZimLive reported a source at Town House as saying the situation is dire as operations at the Morton Jaffrey treatment plant have virtually stalled.
Harare Residents Trust Director Precious Shumba said that water challenges in Harare’s suburbs started long before the current electricity crisis. Said Shumba:
<blockquote>
Electricity challenges have worsened the situation but the root cause of inadequate water supplies is the ageing underground water infrastructure, poor prioritisation of water provision and shortage of water treatment chemicals due to the unavailability of foreign currency.
Most suburbs have been experiencing water shortages for several months now, even before the electricity supplies worsened.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/power-cuts-worsen-harare-water-woes-as-treatment-works-stall/">ZimLive</a>

Load Shedding Has Disrupted Pumping Of Water, Says Harare Council

The City of Harare (CoH) has said the water supply situation is not expected to improve before the 22nd of November 2022 owing to inconsistent deliveries of water treatment chemicals.
The majority of suburbs in Harare have been getting intermittent water supplies of late, with residents going for days without the precious liquid. In a statement, the Harare City Council said:
<blockquote>
We would like to notify residents and ratepayers that our water production remains suppressed at around 278Ml/day (78 Prince Edward and 200 Morton Jaffray) against an available capacity of 528Ml/day owing to inconsistent deliveries of locally sourced liquid aluminium sulphate and its imported granular substitute.
Chemical stock levels to date can sustain the current production until the next delivery of granular aluminium sulphate expected on November 22 this year.
As a result of this reduced level of production the water supply coverage around the City has been severely affected.
All efforts are being made to work out a sustainable solution to the problems. 
Residents are implored to use availed supplies conservatively.
All inconveniences are sincerely regretted.
</blockquote>

Harare Water Woes To Continue

Residents of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second-largest city, face a water crisis after the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) cut off electricity at the city’s water pumps for emergency maintenance of electricity infrastructure.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, 19 October 2022, the City of Bulawayo’s acting Town Clerk Sikhangele Zhou advised residents that the current 72-hour shedding programme will be suspended as water supplies will be cut off to all areas until the power utility restores electricity. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
<h2>NOTICE OF POSSIBLE WATER SUPPLIES INTERRUPTION AND TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF 72-HOUR SHEDDING DUE TO THE ZETDC SHUTDOWN AT ESIGODINI.</h2>
The public is hereby informed of water supply interruptions to all suburbs as a result of an emergency maintenance shutdown by Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) at Inyankuni in Esigodini on Wednesday, 19 October 2022 from 07:00hrs to 18:00hrs.
This will have an impact on raw water pumping volumes at both Ncema Treatment Works and Fernhill Booster Station, and consequently, affect production at Criterion Water Works. 
The shutdown will result in minimal pumping or treatment at all three of the above-mentioned stations, depleting the City’s Supply and Distribution reservoirs.
To prevent the water system from collapsing, the City of Bulawayo will temporarily suspend the current 72-hour shedding programme and cut off supply to all areas until the ZETDC shutdown is completed and power is restored at all three plants, allowing water treatment and pumping to resume.
Residents are advised that supplies will be restored once treatment and pumping have resumed and the city reservoirs have been raised to acceptable levels. 
Meanwhile, residents are advised to conserve water and keep taps turned off in the event that the work is completed sooner.
The City of Bulawayo wishes to apologise to its valued consumers for the inconvenience likely to be caused.
</blockquote>

ZESA Shutdown Triggers Water Cuts In Bulawayo

The City of Bulawayo said it will decommission Umzingwane Dam this Friday due to critically low water levels.
The development will worsen the city’s water crisis as residents are currently enduring a 72-hour weekly water shedding programme.
In a statement on Friday, Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube said Umzingwane Dam is being decommissioned as water levels have receded to just 6.6 per cent. He said:
<blockquote>
The City of Bulawayo would like to advise residents, stakeholders and members of the public that Umzingwane Dam (volume-6.6 per cent) will be decommissioned on Friday 9th September 2022 due to low water levels. This will result in five out of six dams remaining operational.
… Due to the low levels of Umzingwane dam, the city has been unable to meet its daily demand which averages between 155megalitres ML per day.
The maximum available raw water supply is currently below 120 ML/per day. As a result of the gap between demand and supply of 35ML/per day, the city has been on a water-shedding regime, which has been progressively implemented from a 48-hour to a 72-hour schedule.
The City of Bulawayo wishes to apologise to its valued customers for the inconvenience caused.
</blockquote>
Dube also revealed that Upper Ncema Dam was also critically low at 7.6 per cent while Inyakuni Dam is 45 per cent full and Lower Ncema 47 per cent full.
He said the only dams with water levels above 50 per cent are Insiza Mayfair at 69 per cent and Mtshabezi Dam at 71 per cent.
Dube blamed climate change for low rainfall in the dams’ catchment areas which has resulted in reduced inflows. | <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/bcc-decommissions-umzingwane-dam/">Chronicle</a>

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