RESIDENTS of some parts of Chegutu have gone for over five years without running tap water owing to the town’s obsolete reticulation system.
Own Correspondent
The affected surburbs include Kaguvi, Pfupajena, Chegutu, Umvovo and Hintonville.
Chegutu mayor Leo Gwanzura confirmed the development over the weekend, saying his council was seized with the matter.
Gwanzura said the local authority had applied for borrowing powers seeking $10 million for the overhaul of the water reticulation system.
“Residents of these areas have had dry taps for years, and as council we resolved to stop billing them. Council has applied for borrowing powers for $10 million to resolve the water challenges bedeviling the town,” Gwanzura said.
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He said if approved, the funds would be channelled towards increasing pumping capacity at Cliffton Dam, replacing old pipes and installing water meters to each household to avoid billing based on estimates.
Gwanzura added that the local authority had partnered the District Development Fund to drill 40 boreholes in every ward as a stop ga measure. He said the boreholes would be motorised to supply additional water to the system thereby ensuring all suburbs, with an estimated population of 50 000 population, get a constant supply of safe portable water.
Meanwhile, council coffers are expected to get a major boost following the re-opening last week of David Whitehead Textiles Chegutu factory which reportedly owes over $5 million in service charges arrears since its closure years back.