THE Gweru City Council is grappling with water leaks, which have forced the local authority to shut pumps this week as it moves to attend to the crisis.
In a statement on Monday this week, council said the two-day shutdown of the main water supplier, Gwenoro Dam, was necessary to repair leaks on the main water line. It said the Gwenoro total shutdown was implemented on Monday and would last for 48 hours.
“This shutdown is necessary to repair leaks on the transmission line, which will help us to avoid water loss and ensure a more efficient water supply system,” council said.
However, Gweru United Progressive Residents and Ratepayers Development Association director David Chikore said council should set its priorities right as far as issues of service delivery are concerned.
“Every year, council has to attend to these water leaks. As residents, we feel this issue should be addressed once and for all by replacing obsolete pipes,” he said.
A 2018 service level benchmarking peer review report revealed that the city was losing 57% of treated water due to pipe bursts and leaks.
According to the peer review committee, Gweru needs to modernise its water reticulation system to minimise leaks.
The committee also noted that the city will continue to incur labour, power and water treatment costs if the problem remains unresolved.
- Vungu RDC, River Valley property partner on road and drainage system
- Gweru businesswoman scoops top award
- Vungu RDC, River Valley property partner on road and drainage system
- Gweru businesswoman scoops top award
Keep Reading
In its 2020 report on water leakages in the city, council described the leaks as “seriously compromising” the pumping of the precious liquid to all parts of the city.
