Masvingo water supply to resume

By Sukuoluhle Ndlovu

Masvingo – Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira has said normal water supply will be restored in the City this weekend.

Chadzamira was speaking at a press briefing held Wednesday.

“Masvingo City Council bought its own transformer and Zesa is installing a 1.5km 11KV new electricity feeder line to the intake tower which cost RTGs$5million. ZESA has committed itself to complete all the works this Thursday 6May 2021.
Residents should expect restoration of normal supplies by this weekend. I therefore look forward to the resumption of normal water supplies to the residents of Masvingo beginning this weekend as assured by both ZESA and Masvingo City Council,” he said.

The delay in the water augmentation has also contributed to the shortage of water in the city.

“The perennial water challenges are that the water reticulation system has not been upgraded to commensurate with the growth of the City. In particular, residential areas have increased 4 fold with the water supply static.

“Masvingo currently needs 45 mega litres of water daily to satisfy its residents yet the two pumps installed at Bushmead Water Works have a combined daily supply capacity of 30 mega litres.

“The long term solution lies in the City’s proposed water augmentation project which stands to increase water supply to 60 Mega litres,” said Chadzamira.

Masvingo acting Town Clerk, Eng Edward Mukaratirwa said water augmentation is the first priority.

“We need RTGS$60million for the water augmentation to be completed; we are still looking for funds to kick start the project hence the project is our number one priority. All ground work has been done, we are partnering with funding partners to help us with funding. We need a long term long loan that will know that we can be able to pay back,” said Mukaratirwa.

The ZESA Regional Manager Eng Milton Munodawafa assured the provincial Minister and Council at the press briefing that a new power line to feed adequate water supply after council paid RTGS$6million for the installation of the power line.