The background of the Bulawayo water crisis
Bulawayo, the second-largest city in Zimbabwe, has been grappling with a severe water crisis for over a decade now. The situation has worsened over the years, with the city experiencing a series of droughts and a crumbling water infrastructure, leading to acute water shortages and power outages. As of Wednesday, 22nd March 2023, the six supply dams in the city were only at 59.23% capacity, with UMzingwane Dam being only at 17% capacity.
The Bulawayo water crisis has had far-reaching effects, with high-placed suburbs facing the brunt of the crisis due to the inadequate water supply. The situation has also been exacerbated by the current power outages, which have only worsened the city’s water woes. The city is currently receiving only 8-10 hours of power supply, leading to a drop in the early March 2023 system input volume from 120 ML/Day to 40-50 ML/Day.
To mitigate the situation, the City of Bulawayo has implemented several measures, including building raw water reservoir stocks at the Criterion’s 1,400 megalitre reservoir, reintroducing the 72-hour water shedding programme, and hiring additional water trucks to deliver water to high-lying areas such as Nkulumane, Emganwini, Pumula, Magwegwe, and Entumbane. The city has also been using the existing infrastructure such as water kiosks strategically located throughout the City.
Calls for assistance and collaboration
The City of Bulawayo is calling on the donor community to assist with funding and in-kind donations of materials to repair and rehabilitate hand-pumps, as well as procuring 20-liter water containers for residents, particularly those in high-placed suburbs. The city is also urging schools and clinics with functional boreholes and elevated tanks to optimize these resources for the benefit of students and patients, and to add additional access water points accessible from outside the school’s boundaries.
Calls for assistance and collaboration.
Despite the dire situation, the City of Bulawayo is committed to mitigating the water crisis and ensuring a sustainable and reliable water supply for all residents. However, the city requires the collective action of residents, the corporate world, councillors, and policymakers to address this issue comprehensively.
Citizen Frustration
Citizens of Bulawayo are angry at Bulawayo City Council regarding the water issue for several factors. Firstly, Bulawayo City Council is responsible for ensuring that the city has adequate water resources and infrastructure. Yet this infrastructure has been left to fall apart and unable to sustain the growing population. Additionally, people are frustrated with the council’s response to the crisis, due to their lack of action to address the issue. The fact that the crisis has been ongoing for over a decade is the most disheartening part for residents of Bulawayo.
This failure to maintain public services leaves a bitter taste and warrants questions of corruption within the council. The recent drought the country has experienced should not take all the blame. The city and residents need to turn to alternative infrastructure such as rainwater harvesting (Rainwater tanks) in and around all parts of the city. This has the power to lessen the strife for water.
Public health and hygiene concerns
To this end, concerned stakeholders are urged to join hands with the City of Bulawayo in the ongoing efforts to alleviate the water crisis. Residents are also encouraged to play their part by avoiding using unprotected wells and other water sources and boiling all water, whether from a borehole, water kiosk, water bowser, or water tap.
In conclusion, the Bulawayo water crisis requires urgent attention and action from all stakeholders. Let us join hands and work towards a common goal of alleviating the ongoing water crisis in Bulawayo. Let’s take action as community.
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