Bulawayo, (New Ziana) – Despite significant water inflows into Bulawayo’s supply dams in the ongoing rainy season, the City Council has said it will continue rationing the precious liquid, saying the current dam levels were still low.
While dam levels have risen to 50 percent capacity, a 26 percent increase since the season began, the local authority said it still has to preserve water.
The local authority has recommissioned all previously decommissioned dams, offering a glimmer of hope to residents who have endured prolonged water cut-offs.
However, Deputy Mayor Edwin Ndlovu on Thursday said more water inflows are needed to fully address the situation.
“We are definitely not happy with inflows because if it remains like it is now, then we still have a big challenge that will see us still having to deal with the issue of water shedding.
“With the current situation at our dams where the total level is slightly above 50 percent, we can only pray and hope that it continues raining for the inflows to improve,” he said.
The current water-shedding schedule of 130 hours per week remains in place, but Ndlovu hinted at a possible review during the April council meeting.
“The issue of water shedding is done through a council resolution, and I can reveal that the processes are unfolding to ease the shedding. However, a resolution may be done during the April council meeting,” he said.
According to the latest council update, dam levels are seven percent higher than the same period last year.
Umzingwane Dam, which had plummeted to a critical two percent capacity, has seen the most recovery, now standing at 48 percent.
Upper Ncema Dam, recommissioned on February 12, is now 54 percent full, a dramatic improvement from last year’s 17 percent.
Insiza Mayfair Dam is at 56 percent capacity, while Lower Ncema Dam has risen to 26 percent.
However, Inyakuni Dam remains a concern, with only 20 percent capacity due to minimal inflows. Mtshabezi Dam boasts the highest levels at 80 percent.
The city’s water crisis has been exacerbated by successive droughts, aging infrastructure, siltation, and high evaporation rates.
While the recent rains have brought some respite, residents are urged to remain cautious as the city works to address its long-standing water challenges.
Meanwhile, City Mayor David Coltart recently appealed to the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Stembiso Nyoni, to help address the issue of illegal gold panners operating in the catchment areas of the city’s supply dams.
“We have received rains, but our water supply levels remain low because of the shocking devastation to our catchment areas. I have seen with my own eyes rampant gold panning in the river systems that have utterly destroyed the tributaries leading to such dams,” Coltart said.
He expressed gratitude for the government’s announcement of a ban on such activities, adding that the city council is hopeful for collaborative efforts to address the problem.
“We see the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) working closely with the police to stop these mining activities and assisting us in the rehabilitation of those tributaries and rivers. We are looking forward to working with the ministry, and we can assist in the identification of these affected areas,” he said.
Coltart indicated the urgency of the situation, warning that the city’s future is at stake.
“The sustainability of our great city is in doubt because, without water, we cannot enable citizens to survive, and we certainly can’t hope to attract investment in the future,” he said.
New Ziana
