The Sunday Mail
Fatima Bulla-Musakwa
FOR long, Chitungwiza-based Precious Chigumira has had to endure the trouble and misery that comes with persistent water shortages.
Left with no other choice, Chagumira of St Mary’s often had to wake up during odd hours to improve her chances of getting the precious liquid at a nearby council-run borehole.
However, she was unlucky most of the time.
Because of high demand, the water source was always packed and characterised by confusion and long queues.
The situation was made worse by cartels or water barons that had turned the public facility into a private money-making venture.
Water was, and still is, being sold for varying amounts depending on the quantity.
Residents, therefore, had the ignominy of paying council for non-existent supplies and at the same time pay water barons for sustenance.
But things have changed for Chigumira, who now has every reason to smile.
“We used to buy eight buckets of water for US$1 or $20 a bucket from water barons. But that is now a thing of the past. Water problems are now the least of our worries. My family consumes at least six buckets a day and that is all I need,” Chigumira said.
Her colleague, Felistas Sithole faced similar challenges. Today, she is also a relieved woman.
The water supply situation is improving in most suburbs owing to fair rains that have been received across the country, and the recently launched Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme.
And water barons are now feeling the heat.
“I deliver water with bowsers and have a stable clientele ready to pay. Yes, there has been subdued demand but business-wise, I am still operating. If the time comes when we are chucked out of business, fair and fine,” said a water baron who refused to be named.
Harare City Council (HCC) scaled down operations at Prince Edward Water Treatment Plant late last year after its sources of raw water — Harava and Seke dams — dried up.
Likewise, water treatment days were reduced from seven to three, with at least 60-million litres being produced on each production day, leading to an acute water situation.
“After receiving fair rains this season, we are currently water-secure at most of our major dams. National dam levels currently stand at 91,1 percent capacity, which means we have enough to last us to the next season.
“There are very few areas that are still below that, but, generally, in most areas, we are safe,” revealed Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) corporate communications and marketing manager Marjorie Munyonga.
She quickly warned that selling bulk water, particularly in urban areas was illegal.
Anyone who violates these legal restrictions faces a fine of up to level eight or six months in prison or both.
“We actually have an instrument which makes it illegal. Zinwa only licenses sources outside residential areas and this can only be done after we assess their source and conduct the necessary tests to make sure the water is safe for consumption.
“However, we are aware that there are some deviant elements who continue to disregard the regulation and we continue to randomly carry out blitz to bring them to book,” added Munyonga.
Failure by councils to secure water treatment chemicals, replace damaged or obsolete water infrastructure and the ever-ballooning urban population has also further compounded the water situation.
However, HCC spokesperson Michael Chideme notes the situation is improving.
“Currently, the water situation has improved and most households are now getting running water. We have also reopened the Prince Edward water treatment plant to further improve the situation,” said Chideme.
Chitungwiza requires 70 megalitres per day to meet the demand of households in the town, whose population, according to the 2012 Census, stood at about 500 000 people.
Quick win
Government last year embarked on a borehole drilling programme where 35 000 boreholes are to be drilled nationwide.
The scheme seeks to provide potable water to residents after most urban councils failed to guarantee consistent supplies.
Harare and Chitungwiza are expected to get over 200 solar-powered boreholes while Marondera will have 20.
At least 40 boreholes will be drilled in Chitungwiza, with St Mary’s getting half of the share.
Other areas that are set to benefit include Glen View, Mabvuku, Kuwadzana, Glen Norah, Highfield, Epworth, Budiriro and Dzivaresekwa, among others.
Over 10 boreholes have already been drilled in St Mary’s since the programme started last month.
Tangai Mhere, who runs his brick-moulding enterprise near the recently commissioned St Mary’s borehole, said securing water was previously a challenge.
“It was a nightmare to fetch water to use for our business. There was always chaos at the other borehole due to high demand.
“Naturally, water barons capitalised on the situation and we would buy the precious liquid from them at exorbitant prices. But this new water source has been doing wonders for us thus far,” said Mhere.
Another resident, Fanuel Nzanza, added that it was his hope that the boreholes, and the completion of Kunzvi Dam, will put an end to water woes — and water barons — for good.
“I used to travel long distances to fetch water. In some instances, I would resort to water dealers, which was hitting hard on my pocket because I had to do this daily. The water is now at my doorstep,” he said.
“However, while we appreciate the drilling of boreholes, we still wish that water flows through our taps since the infrastructure is already available in our homes. It would be good having Kunzvi completed.”
However, Chitungwiza Municipality spokesperson Lovemore Meya blamed private homeowners for selling water, arguing that there are no water barons controlling council boreholes.
“Currently, residents are getting water from community boreholes that have been drilled by us as council using devolution funds, others by our partners and recently the Presidential Borehole Scheme assisted on the same,” he said.
Security
The recently installed boreholes are manned by security round the clock.
This has helped reduce cases of physical, sexual and verbal abuse, particularly against women.
One of the security personnel, Kenard Tanyanyiwa, said they were on the lookout for water barons that intend to abuse the facility.
“People have breathed a sigh of relief with this borehole and I am sure those who benefited from selling water are counting their losses.
“We make sure that there is equal distribution of the precious liquid and in an orderly manner,” said Tanyanyiwa.
“However, we still have some people coming from as far as Manyame and Zengeza 2, which proves there is still great demand. It is our hope that the ongoing scheme will cover those areas so that we keep water dealers at bay.”
