Story by Owen Mandovha
THE Morton Jaffray Water Treatment Plant is undergoing major refurbishments, paving the way for a mega water supply deal expected to ease Harare’s persistent water challenges.
Built in the 1950s to serve a much smaller population, the aging infrastructure has struggled to meet the demands of a growing city. The ongoing rehabilitation works are part of efforts to expand capacity and support a tripartite water supply agreement involving the government, the City of Harare, and Helcraw Water.
Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume said the project marks a significant milestone in the city’s quest to restore consistent and safe water supply.
“This is a key cog in the water reticulation ecosystem. Works to expand capacity from the current 350 megalitres to 520 megalitres are progressing well, and we have seen many new pumps being installed. We believe the upcoming deal will go very well,” said Councillor Mafume.
Harare Metropolitan Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Senator Charles Tawengwa expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved so far, noting that the project aligns with the Second Republic’s thrust of improving service delivery.
“It is the goal of the Second Republic to provide water to its residents, and we are very happy with the level of progress registered here. We are quite impressed with this progress,” he said.
National Chairperson of the Zimbabwe National Organisation Association for Residents Trust (ZNOART), Mr Shalvar Chikomba, welcomed the development, describing it as a turning point in addressing the city’s long-standing water woes.
“We welcome this era of private partnerships to ease water challenges. For a long time, residents have relied on boreholes, so any initiative that ensures consistent water supply is a welcome relief,” said Mr Chikomba.
As part of the broader water improvement programme, the City of Harare is set to replace over 6,400 kilometres of water pipes. This Monday, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development handed over service vehicles to the local authority to facilitate the extensive works.
