Water queue

The capital city finds itself woefully short of water again with little hope of an early end to the suffering of the residents. The state media conveyed the unwelcome news to the nation on Friday (10th September). The City Council – or what is left of a city authority following the protest withdrawal of MDC Councilors – has decided to introduce swingeing water cuts on a regular basis to northern and southern suburbs. Suburbs from Gunhill to Waterfalls, from Chisipite to Ruwa, will be restricted to a 6 hour supply each day. Water will be disconnected from 3.00 pm. to 8.30 a.m. the following day.

Bulawayo, could introduce water rationing again, unless current rains continue and replenish council dams, which currently hold about 19 months water supply, a senior official has warned. In the event that the rains do not improve significantly, water rationing will become a probable solution, director of engineering services, Peter Sibanda said. In any case whether the rainfall is good or not water must always be conserved and used wisely.

Bulawayo last imposed water rationing in January 1992 at the height of a devastating drought, which swept throughout Southern Africa. This was the most severe water rationing after inflows were the lowest since the dams were built. The scale of the surcharges to enforce compliance with the rationing was so severe that some penalties were not yet settled a year after the rationing was lifted.