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>

Pindula News

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 Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) says it is owed more than $256 billion in unpaid water bills, with Government ministries and departments the biggest debtors.
This has adversely affected ZINWA’s ability to provide sustainable service as it needs the money to pay for electricity, fuel, water treatment chemicals and spares, among other requirements.
In a statement, ZINWA Corporate Communications and Marketing Manager, Marjorie Munyonga revealed that as of 31 January 2024, ZINWA was owed a total of $256 012 566 418.28 in unpaid bills. It said:
<blockquote>
Of this amount, domestic clients owe a total of $29 836 260 276 while Government ministries and departments account for the biggest chunk of the debtors’ book at $132 481 369 619.
Irrigating farmers are the authority’s second largest debtor, owing $53 765 173 087 followed by local authorities whose debt stands at $16 152 616 447.
Mines owe a total of $7 988 101 782.14 while parastatals account for $ 6 215 575 906.75.
</blockquote>
ZINWA said it has instituted several measures to recover the outstanding amounts through engaging defaulting clients, taking legal action against some clients and as a last resort, disconnecting those in arrears.
Munyonga urged clients who may have difficulties settling their water bills to approach their nearest offices and present acceptable payment plans.
She also said given the current drought situation, ZINWA will not be disconnecting irrigating farmers but is working with farmer representative organisations to ensure that the farmers utilise stop-order arrangements that allow ZINWA to recover its revenue when farmers sell their produce.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZINWA Owed $256 Billion In Unpaid Bills

Commercial farmers across the country have bemoaned the move by the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) to disconnect those who have not been paying for electricity consumed.
Unions representing farmers who spoke to <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/farmers-feel-zesa-heat/">Business Times</a> said the ZESA disconnections have effectively hampered prospects of good yields.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president Dr Shadreck Makombe blamed delayed payments from the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) for farmers’ failure to pay ZESA on time. Said Makombe:
<blockquote>
ZESA is not consistent. We understand farmers should pay because without payments ZESA would also find it difficult but now to disconnect farmers who have crops in the field does not make sense at all.
They should negotiate because those farmers are going to sell their produce and ZESA will then be paid.
They should make arrangements for those stakeholders, but it would appear some overzealous ZESA officers are acting contrary to arrangements on the ground.
…To disconnect them while the product is in the field is really kind of unproductive.
</blockquote>
The chairperson for the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union in Mazowe, Daniel Chinyemba, said:
<blockquote>
ZESA disconnections in conjunction with ZINWA irrigation pump locking are impacting badly on the Presidential and ARDA Inputs schemes which were launched to ensure food security to the nation.
Most farmers with functional irrigation schemes have not received their payment as yet for their wheat delivered to both GMB and several millers.
Farmers received only the ZWL component paid at the prevailing bank rate of ZWL$6 000 at that time whilst the black market was rating the dollar at ZWL$15 000 causing farmers to incur huge losses.
The ZWL component was supposed to be equivalent to 25% of their wheat sales but ended up being equivalent to less than 7% and the amount was insufficient to clear or even the electricity and ZINWA bills and many other obligations which faced the farmers.
</blockquote>
He said farmers are still waiting for their payments from GMB and millers but service providers are cutting them off.
Chinyemba said due to the El-Nino-induced drought, the crop situation is dire and farmers are in a critical situation as they are failing to irrigate their crops as they are being cut off by ZESA and ZINWA.
A Ministry of Energy and Power Development official told Business Times that consumers should pay for electricity so that the power utility meets its electricity demand and pays import bills. Said the official:
<blockquote>
ZESA is trying to make sure that it meets its obligations that include monthly instalments on repayment of Hwange expansion debt to avoid disconnections which has greatly increased the electricity situation in the country.
</blockquote>
The complaints by farmers come as ZESA has embarked on an aggressive blitz which has no sacred cows. ZESA is reportedly owed US$300 million by customers.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZESA Switches Off Farms... Farmers Blame GMB Payment Delays

The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) says the construction of Kunzvi Dam in Mashonaland East Province is now 36 percent complete.
The dam is being built by a Chinese company 67 kilometres northeast of Harare, near Juru Growth Point on the Nyanguvi River, which separates Goromonzi and Murehwa districts.
When completed, the dam is expected to solve Harare’s perennial water shortages.
Speaking to <a href="https://newziana.co.zw/2023/07/17/kunzwi-dam-now-36-percent-complete/">New Ziana</a>, ZINWA corporate communications and marketing manager Marjorie Munyonga, said:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) wishes to advise the public and stakeholders that the construction of Kunzvi Dam, in Mashonaland East remains on course with the dam now 36 percent complete.
Current work at the site includes excavation of the core trench, grouting on the core trench invert, backfill on the core trench, placing fill material on the fill zone and construction of a masonry downstream access bridge.
Other works include the placement of riprap on the upstream slope, the placing of coarse filter on the upstream slope, outlet trench excavation and construction of remaining houses at the ZINWA senior camp.
</blockquote>
Construction of the dam was first mooted in 1912. It has been shelved over the years due to financial challenges and only began in 2021. It is expected to be completed at the end of 2024.
Harare’s main source of water, Lake Chivero, is heavily polluted by sewerage water and effluent from industries.
Due to the complete breakdown of the reticulation system, raw sewerage from residential areas and effluent from industries flows directly into Lake Chivero.
This has forced the Harare City Council to spend about US$3 million every month to buy more than 11 chemicals that it uses to treat the water.
Kunzvi Dam is expected to provide Harare with “clean” water, less costly than Lake Chivero.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Kunzvi Dam Now 36 Percent Complete - ZINWA

Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, has said drilling a borehole requires a permit from the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA). His statement comes after some residents in Bulawayo were protesting against the Upper Gwayi Sub Catchment for enforcing the payment of levies for the use of underground water.
Dr Masuka emphasised that groundwater use is governed by the Water Act and that the Sub-Catchment Council is responsible for accessing and allocating water efficiently. He urged individuals to obtain drilling permits and ensure compliance with the law. In a statement seen by Pindula News, Masuka said:
<blockquote>
<h3>STATEMENT ON BOREHOLE DRILLING AND GROUNDWATER ABSTRACTIONS</h3>
The Ministry has noted the recent increase in the number of individuals and organisations drilling boreholes without the relevant permits in the country; with some of these boreholes being drilled within metres of one another.
The Ministry wishes to remind borehole owners, drillers and prospective borehole owners that groundwater use, just like surface water use, is governed by the Water Act (Chapter 20 24) Section 3 of the Water Act vests all water in the President while Section 4 of the same Act prohibits private ownership of water. With water being a finite resource, its development and use should be managed in a sustainable manner. Government, through ZINWA and Sub-Catchment Councils, is responsible for assessing and allocating water efficiently, sustainably and equitably, in view of competing water needs by multiple users.
In this regard, any individual or organisation intending to drill a borehole should apply for and obtain a drilling permit from their respective Catchment Council This allows Government to know the number and location of the boreholes, so as to avoid over abstraction of the groundwater resource The driller is required, by law, to provide the technical details on the drilling of such a borehole (i.e. the construction, the pumping tests and water yield and any other parameters). It is also a legal requirement that a holder of a groundwater permit keeps records of the water abstracted in terms of the permit and have such water analysed for physical, chemical and biological and other bacteriological constituents and to ensure that the water is safe and clean for human consumption.
All individuals, institutions and organisations who may have drilled boreholes without the requisite documentation are, therefore, advised to approach ZINWA or their respective Catchment Councils to regularise their water use. The Ministry advises all water users to always ensure that their water use is in compliance with the law.
</blockquote>
Some government critics are sceptical that the requirement for drilling permits is intended to prevent the opposition from gaining support through the drilling of boreholes. Hopewell Chin’ono, a prominent critic, believes that the regime will attempt to block these efforts, but the opposition can use these denials to expose the government’s disregard for the people’s needs. He urges the opposition to demonstrate their ability to lead and provide solutions, and to use the government’s obstruction as campaign material.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Government: Drilling A Borehole Requires A Permit From ZINWA

The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) has warned its customers that there are fraudsters sending emails to them pretending to be ZINWA officials saying their accounts are on the verge of being closed.
In a public notice issued this Wednesday, 21 December 2022, ZINWA urged its customers to ignore the emails and to continue making payments into the ZINWA accounts they have been using. Reads the notice:
<blockquote>
It has come to the attention of the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) that there are some individuals sending out emails to ZINWA clients purporting that ZINWA bank accounts are on the verge of being closed and directing the clients to make payments into bank accounts provided in the emails.
ZINWA wishes to inform its clients and stakeholders that at no point; had its accounts been closed or threatened with closure.
Individuals sending out those emails are not ZINWA representatives and may harbour criminal intentions.
Clients are therefore advised to continue making payments into the ZINWA accounts they have been using and ignore the emails emanating from these unknown individuals.
When in doubt, clients are advised to contact their respective ZINWA Service Centre personnel or the Call Centre on its WhatsApp number 0774 674 333 or alternatively report to the police.
</blockquote>

Fraudsters Target ZINWA Customers, Threaten Closure Of Accounts

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 Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) has refuted reports that it is accepting only foreign currency for its services.
In a statement on Monday, ZINWA said it accepts all forms of payment that are in use locally. It said:
<blockquote>
Authority’s attention has been drawn to some reports circulating on different communication platforms that ZINWA now charges for its services and products in United States Dollars.
ZINWA wishes to advise the public that this information is untrue and should be ignored.
All ZINWA services are billed and payable in local currency, without exception and can be paid through cash, bank transfers and mobile money transfer platforms.
The same applies to all those clients who opt to pay using other currencies that are in use in Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
ZINWA also appealed to its clients to clear their arrears for it to deliver services effectively.
More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/zinwa-dismisses-reports-that-it-is-only-accepting-foreign-currency/">Chronicle</a>

ZINWA Dismisses Reports That It Is Only Accepting Forex

The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/ZINWA">Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA</a>) has unpacked the water agreement system ahead of the Winter farming season. We present ZINWA’s statement below.
<blockquote>One of the key changes that the water sector reforms brought was the replacement of water rights with water permits and water abstraction agreements. This new system allows ZINWA to efficiently and sustainably allocate available water amongst competing uses.
However, 20 years after the introduction of this system, some of the water users are still to fully grasp this concept and its importance to the management of the country’s water resources. This article, therefore, seeks to unpack the water agreement system.
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">What is a water abstraction agreement?</a>
A water abstraction agreement is a contract that any person, entity or organisation, who needs a reservation for their use of raw water from ZINWA managed or State-owned dams enters into with ZINWA for the provision of his or her requirements.
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Why is an agreement required?</a>
Water abstraction agreements allow ZINWA to effectively plan the allocation of limited water resources available in its storage reservoirs to meet the competing needs of water users. The agreement forms the contract which spells out the obligations of ZINWA in supplying the raw water and that of the water user who pays for the services rendered.
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Who needs to get a water abstraction agreement?</a>
In terms of the Water Act (Chapter 20:24), anyone using raw water from a ZINWA managed or owned dam for purposes other than primary purposes should have a water abstraction agreement. This includes irrigating farmers, mines, local authorities, agricultural estates and industries. Statutory Instrument 206 of 2001 compels everyone using raw water <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/01/08/zinwa-dam-levels-rise-some-full-to-the-brim/">from ZINWA managed dams</a> to have an agreement when it says;
_“No surface water permit shall be required of a person who wishes to abstract surface water from a water storage works of share of a water storage works vested in the State or the National Water Authority for any purposes mentioned in paragraph (a), but such person must enter into an abstraction agreement with the National Water Authority in terms of subsection (6) of Section 39 of the Act”_
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">How does one get an agreement?</a>
Any person wishing to use water from ZINWA managed or State-owned dams should approach the respective ZINWA catchment office from which they would want to abstract water and lodge an application for water stating the intended use of the water, their physical address, the amount of water required, point of abstraction and the crop intended for irrigation in the case of farmers. If ZINWA, after considering the application, is satisfied that there is sufficient water in their dams to meet the applicant’s requirements, the two parties will then enter into a water abstraction agreement.
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">How does the agreement system work?</a>
Once a water abstraction agreement is entered into, ZINWA will reserve the full allocation as requested by the user in its dams and releases the water as per the water user’s water orders from time to time until the full allocation gets exhausted. The agreement holder becomes exclusively entitled to the allocation specified in the agreement which they are assured to get and the water cannot be released to any other user. The user is also expected to install, at his own cost, a meter or any other acceptable measuring device to measure his consumption and adherence to his allocation.
Farmers wishing to abstract water from ZINWA managed dams are encouraged to work closely with their extension officers or other people with appropriate expertise to help them fully appreciate the water requirements for different crops. This helps them in coming up with proper requirements when applying for water.
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">How is agreement water billed?</a>
Agreement holders are expected to pay for their water allocation in monthly instalments during the subsistence of the agreement. However, in the case of farmers and other users who get their money at the end of a particular season or process, Stop Order arrangements can be made so that bills are settled during that period. Water users may also choose to pay the full sum of their allocation at the onset of the agreement especially where smaller volumes are concerned.
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Why should water users pay for this water?</a>
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/03/10/zinwa-shelves-plans-to-hike-tariffs-after-outcry/">The money paid by water users is used for the operation and maintenance of dams</a> and related water infrastructure that enable users to have access to the water resources given that the country has distinct wet and dry seasons and as such most of the dry season river flows are as a result of dam releases.
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">What happens if one uses water without an agreement?</a>
A person who uses water without the necessary documentation commits an offence in terms of Section 118 of the Water Act and is liable to a fine, imprisonment or both. The same applies to anyone who uses more water than he is entitled to.</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZINWA Unpacks Water Agreement System Ahead Of Winter Farming Season

The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/ZINWA">Zimbabwe National Water Authority</a> (ZINWA) has with immediate effect suspended its plans to hike tariffs following a public outcry.
In a statement, the authority said the decision to revert to old tariffs was a result of feedback from consultations with various stakeholders. Said ZINWA:
<blockquote>Zinwa, however, wishes to advise all clients with <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2017/03/08/zinwa-cuts-off-water-ministry-justice-buildings-unpaid-bills-dating-2013/">outstanding bills to take advantage of this development to settle their debts.</a>
Those intending to make payments can do so using the available Zinwa digital payments platforms that include Eco-Cash, One Money, Pay-now, Bank Transfers and where necessary, make physical payments at Zinwa banking halls.</blockquote>
Any changes to the tariffs, it added, will be communicated at the appropriate time.
Zinwa had planned to effect a 25 percent tariff hike starting from March 1, but the feedback <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2017/03/08/zinwa-cuts-off-water-ministry-justice-buildings-unpaid-bills-dating-2013/">from stakeholders suggested that the move</a> would be a bad one.
The authority provides water directly to farmers while its duty in the urban areas is to provide bulk raw (untreated) water from its dams to the local authorities who in turn treat and distribute water to residents.
While ZINWA is not the one levying consumers in urban areas, the move could have resulted in local government authorities also effecting a water tariffs hike to recoup incurred costs.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/tariffs-outcry-zinwa-reverts-to-old-water-rates/">The Herald</a>

ZINWA Shelves Plans To Hike Tariffs After Outcry

The Zimbabwe National Water Authority had to dig through a commercial building in Karoi to repair a burst pipe that supplies water to the town reservoirs as the building was built on top of water mainline. This has been the trend in many towns and cities around the country especially at new structures being erected at undesignated sites. See pictures below.
<img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ek_mLpgXUAAm8BD?format=jpg&amp;name=small"/><img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ek_mM0zWkAAH7QO?format=jpg&amp;name=small"/>
More: <a href="https://twitter.com/zinwawater/status/1319526328924819456">ZINWA</a>

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