Story by Tichaona Kurewa
THE City of Victoria Falls is making significant strides in its ambitious water project, with the construction of key structures nearing completion.
The project, a crucial solution to increasing water supply in the Resort City is a direct result of the devolution programme, which has seen resources being allocated to critical projects such as water reservoirs and essential equipment.
One of the key components is an elevated water tower and a ground tank, which are part of the US$5.2 million phase one.
A toyal of 12 kilometres of piping has been installed, along with the construction of a pump house, installation of pumps, and provision of staff accommodation.
“We are on track with our project. So far, the construction of our reservoir is at 75% completion,” Town Clerk, Mr Ronnie Dube said.
“We will be completing the 0.75m³ elevated water tower by the end of February and integrating it into the distribution lines.
“The 5m³ ground tank will be finished by the end of May, marking the completion of Phase 1 of the project. The next phase will focus on the extraction point at the river. We are seeking an additional US$1.5 to US$2 million to complete this phase by the end of this year,” he added.
Councillors are confident of the positive impact of the project upon completion.
“The addition of these reservoirs is excellent news for the city which faces water challenges during the dry season. We anticipate the completion of these reservoirs will effectively address the city’s water woes,” Technical Services Committee chairperson, Councillor Daniel Moyo said.
The city is also actively seeking partnerships to complete the entire WASH programme, aligning with the government’s initiative to engage the private sector to enhance service delivery in local authorities.
Water provision is being prioritised by the government through the Call to Action blueprint as the country seeks to attain an upper middle income society by 2030.
