THE Gweru City Council has introduced a water-rationing and restriction scheme following a sharp drop in water levels at its major supply dams Gwenoro and Amaphongokwe.
STAFF REPORTER
The water-rationing regime is with effect from March 1 this year.
In a statement yesterday, the local authority said metered households in high and low-density suburbs will be penalised if they exceed their daily limits of 500 litres.
Bulk water consumers like hotels, companies and other big institutions will be expected to operate within 50 to 80% of their normal consumption levels or risk being penalised twice the last band rate.
Part of the notice reads: “Notice is hereby given in terms of section 187 subsection (3) of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15) that in view of the deteriorating water levels in Gwenoro Dam and in view of the Amaphongokwe abstraction system being inadequate as a standalone facility, the council has resolved to introduce water-rationing and restriction schemes.”
The council has also banned use of hosepipes or sprinklers and filling up of swimming pools using municipal water.
Gweru joins Bulawayo and Masvingo which recently introduced water-rationing regimes after their supply dams went down.
