Story by Grace Sibanda
AS Bulawayo, water supply dwindles to critical levels, the government has chipped in with the tune of US$1.2 million towards the rehabilitation of water infrastructure at Nyankuni and uMzingwane water stations.
The revamping of the pumps is very critical towards easing Bulawayo’s water challenges.
“We are grateful to the government for the funds to kick start this rehabilitation process as it will go a long way in stabilizing Bulawayo’s water situation. The pumps that are here have been here since 1950, it is time to change them so that new ones can pump more water to the city,” said Bulawayo City Council director for water and sanitation, Engineer Sikhumbuzo Ncube.
Bulawayo City Mayor, Councillor David Coltart stressed the need for more funds to be availed towards interlinking of the Mzingwane-Mtshabezi pipeline, which has the capacity to sustain Bulawayo in the short term.
“We are installing new pumps but if the interlinking of the Mtshabezi-Mzingwane isn’t done soon the pumps are going to lie idle as there will be no water to pump. Mtshabezi Dam has water but we need to interlink the pipes so we can fully utilise that water and this is a matter of urgency because the water situation is now so critical,” he said.
Currently, the pumps are able to pump 125 mega litres per day instead of the expected 175 mega litres, amid fears of the decommissioning of uMzingwane Dam by October.
