Govt moves in to alleviate Byo’s water crisis

GOVERNMENT has stepped in to drill more boreholes, rehabilitate those that are dysfunctional while pursuing short-to medium term efforts to alleviate Bulawayo’s water crisis.

This was revealed by the Lands Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development minister Anxious Masuka during a meeting held with the Bulawayo water technical committee on improving water supply in the city on Wednesday

Bulawayo is facing its worst water crisis in years with residents going for more than two weeks without the precious liquid.

Masuka said the government identified sites where drilling of boreholes will take place to alleviate the water situation in Bulawayo.

“Finally as a complementary emergency aspect we need to look at enhanced borehole drilling and 83 sites have been found, 22 have already been found to be suitable 15 of which have now been solarised for use by residents,” Masuka said.

“We said that ought to be accelerated so that within the next two months the 83 sites are fully operational.

“Thirty-five boreholes out of 60 are now operational at Nyamandlovu aquifer which is very good progress that 35 of 65 boreholes are now operational at Nyamandlovu aquifer and that the Epping Forest Rochester system will be up and running.”

Masuka said the government appointed a technical committee to ensure residents have adequate, safe and affordable water.

The government urged the technical team to refocus its efforts and ensure that the Nyamandlovu aquifer supplies residents with water.

“Currently 12 megalitres is being delivered and we think that the minimum should be 16 megalitres,” Masuka said before bemoaning vandalism of boreholes at the aquifer.

“We are going to activate the state security apparatus to ensure that it is nipped in the bud and those that have a predilection to vandalise be warned," Masuka said.

"As government we are looking at Gwayi Shangani which we think is the long-term supply guarantee for Bulawayo and that it will be able to guarantee Bulawayo eight years’ water supply. We are also at length to enhance the conveyancing of water into treatment works and the distribution."