Harare, (New Ziana)— The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) has recorded a first by successfully automating 30 small water supply stations in different parts of the country that will now run with very little to no human involvement, an official has said.
The stations, which supply water to rural communities and rural service centres, were automated as part of moves by the Authority towards operational efficiency and excellence.
In an update, ZINWA head of corporate communications and marketing, Marjorie Munyonga said the automated stations have been fitted with technology to detect faults within the system, cut water flows once reservoirs are full, alert water supply operators in case of faults or developments requiring human intervention, and to produce relevant reports.
She said most of the automated stations are part of the 80 stations which the authority recently converted from diesel to solar energy.
Munyonga said the conversion has brought back to life some stations that had been decommissioned for more than two decades.
Some of the stations automated so far include Bomba, Tetenu, Nyahombe, New Boli, Malipati, Chizvirizvi, Basera, Devure, Veza, Chirorwe, Chinyabako, Mabwematema, Mushandike, Rupike, Chivamba, Maware, Siyahokwe, Njelele, Zimunya and Gezani.
According to ZINWA, the automation will eliminate and minimise human interface and comes with several advantages.
“These include automatic pump control which helps maintain reservoir levels and reduces interruptions and non-revenue water from tank overflows. It also reduces routine travel, fuel, and labour costs, while fault alarms and protections reduce pump, motor, and electrical damage. Saved resources will now be channeled towards improving service delivery.
“Through this new system, operators receive early alerts for trips, power failure, dry-run, and low levels while the system is also capable of producing operational reports to support decision-making,” said Munyonga.
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