DESPITE supply dams being at almost full capacity, Gweru continues to face water problems as a result of ageing pumps, a local councillor has said.
STEPHEN CHADENGA
According to Ward 4 councillor Kenneth Sithole, the city’s main water supply dams, Gwenoro and Amapongokwe, were at 98% capacity, but taps in most parts of the suburbs were dry because of problems caused by obsolete pumps.
Sithole made the remarks last Friday at a Federation of Africa Media Women in Zimbabwe-organised community engagement meeting in Gweru.
“Our dams might be full, but pumping is a problem. We have obsolete pumps, some of which have been in use for more than 30 years. At Gwenoro, we have three pumps, but one pump operates at a time. But if we can have all the three pumps operating, water can be accessed by all parts of the city,” Sithole said.
Sithole appealed to residents to pay the $20 once-off pump levy, saying the fee would go a long way in addressing the city’s water pumping capacity.
In April, residents’ associations resisted council’s move to pay the $20 levy, saying it had not been done in consultation and should be broken down in instalments.
