NEW: “Long-term solutions required to improve Harare’s water situation”

The Sunday Mail

Online Reporter

THE Harare City Council (HCC) has attributed current poor water supplies to depleting water sources, shortages of chemicals and numerous pipe leakages across the city.

HCC head of corporate communications Mr Stanley Gama said: “We are faced with several challenges to do with adequate supply of water to residents. The main one is that the water sources have become too small for Harare.

“We also face challenges of chemical supplies. And the water pipes need replacing and this is a huge capital project that requires billions.”

The municipality, he added, is currently supplying around 300 megalitres of water to residents.

“Morton Jaffray Water Treatment Plant has a capacity of 700 megalitres. With the provision of more chemicals to treat water, and if we manage to repair some of our machinery at the plant, it can operate at full capacity.”

He said Harare requires over 1 400 meglitres a day.