The Sunday Mail
Emmanuel Kafe
ZVISHAVANE Town Council has used part of the $79 million it received from the Government for devolution programmes to revive and construct new piped water and sewer infrastructure.
The Mabula Sewer Ponds and the Runde Water Plant are undergoing extensive rehabilitation, a development that is expected to improve water and sewer reticulation in the mining town.
The remainder of the devolution funds will be channelled towards developing social amenities and improving service delivery.
Zvishavane has witnessed substantial population growth in recent years, putting a huge strain on service delivery.
Establishment of a Midlands State University campus in the town, which houses over 3 000 students and hundreds of university staff, has contributed immensely to the population glut.
In addition, the development of over 8 000 new houses in Mabula, and the ongoing housing development projects in Eastlea Extension, Emthonjeni and Light Industrial will increase the population bulge.
Zvishavane acting town secretary Mr Mazai Mungororo told The Sunday Mail recently that water and sewer reticulation infrastructure was under strain.
“We have a sewer treatment plant being developed, which is work in progress and nearing completion,” he said.
“We are also resuscitating a water plant using the $2,9 million from our last allocation of devolution funds. Water reticulation pipes were now old and worn out.
“We have already started working on a direct line that will channel water to suburbs like Eastlea.”
Mr Mungororo said about 40 percent of the town’s waste water was spilling into the open.
“We are doing this because these are areas of high priority for now.
“Also we are doing this so that there is provision of water to the residents of Zvishavane and university students who now have their campus here.
“The town is now carrying out major maintenance works to ensure constant water supply.”
He said the water treatment plant had not been working since 2005.
“The funds have really helped in changing the face of this town and we believe by the time all the $79 million that we were allocated is disbursed, it will greatly improve the image of this mining town,” Mr Mungororo added.
