Bulawayo Faces Catastrophe as Dams Sit at 32% Capacity

Bulawayo Faces Absolute Catastrophe as Dams Sit at 32 Percent Capacity

Bulawayo is facing a dire water crisis that the mayor warns could lead to the city “literally running out of raw water” if the drought conditions continue.

Speaking at an Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe (UCAZ) strategic planning workshop held on 17 to 18 July, Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart painted a bleak picture of the city’s water situation.

“Our dams are sitting at 32 percent and many of our catchment areas have been ravaged by gold panning,” Coltart said.

He added, “The City is facing an absolute catastrophe and if we have another drought like last year’s drought we will literally run out of raw water in the City.”

UCAZ is a voluntary association of 32 urban local authorities, with 100 percent membership of all urban councils in Zimbabwe.

Coltart’s comments underscore the gravity of the water crisis facing not just Bulawayo, but potentially other cities across the country.

According to the mayor, Bulawayo’s dam levels have plummeted to a mere 32 percent of capacity, a dangerously low level that leaves the city’s water supply extremely vulnerable. The problem has been exacerbated by extensive gold panning activities that have degraded many of the city’s catchment areas, further reducing the available water sources.

The 2023 drought, which was one of the worst on record in Zimbabwe, has only compounded the crisis. “If we have another drought like last year’s drought we will literally run out of raw water in the City,” Coltart warned.

Bulawayo’s water woes are not new, but the situation has become increasingly dire in recent years. The city has faced perennial water shortages, with residents often going for days or even weeks without running water. The recent droughts have pushed the system to the brink, leaving city officials scrambling to find solutions.

Despite the grim circumstances, Coltart did offer some praise for the Bulawayo City Council’s efforts to maintain the city’s cleanliness and greenery.

The Mayor also applauded the Bulawayo City Council for keeping the streets of the CBD and the areas around clean and for the City of Bulawayo managing to maintain green lawns.

However, the mayor also outlined ambitious plans to address the city’s broader challenges, including through digitalisation, accessibility of goods and services and efficiency of resources.

The water crisis in Bulawayo is a testament of the broader challenges facing Zimbabwe’s urban centres. Many cities and towns across the country have struggled with ageing and overburdened water infrastructure, exacerbated by rapid population growth, climate change, and environmental degradation.

In response to the crisis, the government has pledged to invest in new water projects and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure. However, progress has been slow, and many communities continue to face acute water shortages.

As the situation in Bulawayo demonstrates, the stakes could not be higher. Without a reliable and sustainable water supply, the city’s very future is at risk. Mayor Coltart’s stark warning serves as a wake-up call for both local and national authorities to prioritise water security as a matter of utmost urgency.

The coming months and years will be critical in determining Bulawayo’s, and potentially Zimbabwe’s, water future. With the spectre of another devastating drought looming, city officials and residents alike will be closely watching the skies and the water levels, hoping for the rains to come and the taps to flow once more.