GOVERNMENT might soon be forced to declare water shortages a national disaster, as most parts of the country have reportedly run dry, Environment, Water and Climate minister Oppah Muchinguri has warned.
BY Phyllis Mbanje
Addressing journalists in the capital at the weekend, Muchinguri said she would soon approach President Robert Mugabe to declare the water crisis a national disaster.
“This provision, if granted, will allow me to redistribute water resources. Most parts of the country received below normal rainfall during the 2015/16 season, leading to low dam storage levels,” she said.
Muchinguri said in Bulawayo, Upper and Lower Ncema dams were dry, with the city only relying on supplies from Insiza Dam.
Depressed dam levels have seen some local authorities introducing water rationing, while groundwater levels have also been declining due to the limited recharge this year.
The situation is bound to worsen with the current high temperatures obtaining in the country, having triggered an increased water demand.
In rural areas, most boreholes have dried up and if this continues, thousands of people and animals will be at risk.
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Masvingo dams have the lowest averaging 21%, while areas such as Gokwe, Buhera, Dotito, Maranda, Sun Yet Sen, and Tsholotsho have water tables lower than 100 metres.
Meanwhile, Muchinguri also expressed concern at the rate of water pollution.
“We urge all these people to desist from polluting the environment, as these are coming back to haunt us. Zimbawe is living dangerously,” she said.
Morton Jaffray Waterworks was said to be still treating water from Lake Chivero, but due to the poor quality of the water, the cost of treatment was too high. Nine chemicals have to be used to treat the water.
Government, through the Zimbabwe National Water Authority has already implemented emergency interventions in areas such as Nembudziya, Mberengwa, Guinea Fowl, Zimunya, and Great Zimbawe.
“Emergency interventions in these areas are almost complete while work is set to commence in Mt Darwin,” she said.
