Environment
Harare water w
contamination of water sources. The flow of raw sewage into water bodies caused water borne diseases like Cholera and Typhoid. The cholera outbreak of 2008/2009 is still embedded in people’s minds since many innocent lives were lost. Harare Water director, Engineer Cephus Zvobgo told delegates at the Harare Water Summit held in the capital last year that there has been no significant investment in water and waste water infrastructure over the past 20 years. He said that the existing water and wastewater infrastructure has gone beyond its lifespan and can no longer cope with the bursting population of the city. Currently, the two water treatment plants of Morton Jaffray and Prince Edward are producing a combined 620 mega litres (ML) per day against a demand of 1200 ML per day. These two plants supply water to Chitungwiza, Norton, Epworth, Ruwa (Zimre Park), Inkomo Army Barracks, Alphida Army barracks, Domboshava Training Centre, Zimbabwe Defence Industry and Chikurubi Prison and Support Unit complexes, giving a deficit of 580ML per day. The water deficit has been worsened by frequent system failures including water pipe bursts, sewer chokes, power supply interruptions and pump breakdowns. Although rate payers are quick to criticise the council, defaulting rate payers have contributed to the predicament that city fathers are facing. As of 21 March 2012, Harare water debt stood at US$111 404 468.56. This scenario has been worsened by unreliable power supply to water facilities.
O
Emmerson Njanjamangezi
nly 15 years ago, Harare produced good quality water and sanitation services. The city’s water supply and sewerage coverage stood at 99 percent. Customer satisfaction was high and the billing system was very functional. Today, things are falling apart for the ‘sunshine city’. The city has lost its status of being a reliable source of safe water. The sporadic supply of piped water has caused untold suffering to rate payers. It has led to a myriad of problems, chief among them being the use of unprotected water sources. The scarcity of water has forced residents to use improvised latrines while others have taken to the bush when nature calls. This has resulted in the
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The Parade - Zimbabwe’s Most Read Lifestyle Magazine
February 2013