BULAWAYO residents are hopeful that the proposed Bopoma Glass Block Dam construction in Matabeleland South can boost the city's water supplies.
Speaking during the ward 28 consultative medium-term water supply strategy meeting held at Mahlathini Primary School on Sunday, residents said the initiative was a positive development.
Resident Paul Makiwa said the project was a huge development considering the serious water challenges in the city.
“It shouldn't be just promises like the Gwayi-Shangani and the Zambezi River Project which have taken a long time to be completed. We are urging council to make sure it is completed on time,” he said.
“We have the Chinese coming to Zimbabwe causing national disasters. Water is not flowing well into the dams because of the siltation they are causing. They even damage pipes when they are digging. We really urge the government to look closely into the problems caused by the Chinese.”
Another resident Naison Sibanda also expressed excitement over the dam project, adding that council should rehabilitate existing dams that have been affected by siltation.
“What about the other dams which have been affected by siltation? Let us scoop the old dams,” Sibanda said.
Presenting the dam proposal, Bulawayo City Council engineer Kwanele Sibanda said the dam would be located at the intersection of uMzingwane and Filabusi districts.
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“Bopoma Dam and Pipeline project has been identified as a medium-term option to provide additional water for Bulawayo. It will have a dam yield of approximately 68 megalitres per day,” he said.
“The Glass Block Bopoma Dam is intended to hold 129 million cubic metres of water.”
Sibanda added that the delivery of water to the City of Bulawayo including supply from the proposed dam would include the blended cost of production of treated water of US$1,38.
“The project was initiated by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Resettlement which involved constructing the dam and a pipeline to deliver water to Lower Ncema Treatment Works,” she said.
