Harare,(New Ziana) – Half of treated water in Chegutu, Mashonaland West province, is being lost to leaks due to aged distribution infrastructure, worsening an already dire crisis as water levels at Clifton Dam, its primary water source, continue to drop.
Chegutu business development and communications officer Lovemore Mutsvangwa confirmed the crisis, stating that a recent fact-finding mission had exposed major challenges in the raw water supply system.
He said the municipality currently produces only 8 megalitres of water per day, just half of the 16 megalitres required to meet the town’s growing demand.
Water levels at Clifton Dam have plummeted to 8 percent of its total capacity, raising concerns over whether supply can be sustained throughout the year. “At this rate, the available water is insufficient to sustain the municipality throughout the year,” Mutsvangwa said.
The town’s population growth has worsened the situation, with water demand projected to rise to 40 megalitres per day within the next 20 years, an increase of 150 percent from current needs.
The local authority is also planning to build over 10 000 houses by 2026, further straining the already struggling water supply system.
Aged infrastructure is another major concern, with about 50 percent of treated water lost to leaks before reaching residents. “This significant loss exacerbates the already critical water shortage, meaning half of the treated water never reaches residents,” Mutsvangwa added.
Other factors worsening the crisis include frequent power outages disrupting pumping, rapid population growth exceeding infrastructure capacity, and high operational costs due to the need for continuous pumping.
To mitigate the crisis, the council and stakeholders have called for urgent intervention, including the long-awaited construction of Mhondoro B Dam.
The project, which has faced delays, is expected to provide a long-term solution by increasing water supply to the town. Stakeholders have urged the Government and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) to expedite the dam’s construction while also rehabilitating the ageing water distribution network to reduce losses and improve water treatment capacity.
New Ziana
