(Last Updated on February 24, 2021 by GERALD NCUBE)
BULAWAYO – Bulawayo is on course to completely suspend the water-shedding programme due to improved water capacity, the city’s Mayor Solomon Mguni has said.
In a statement on Tuesday, Cllr Mguni said the Dam levels were standing at an overall 64% representing a significant 39% rise since November 2020.
Adding that raw water pumping had remained stable.
“Raw water pumping from the first set of Flow-serve and the Sulzer pumps has remained stable delivering an average of 85ML/day. In addition, the clear water to Tuli Reservior from Ncema Water treatment plant is averaging 35ML/day,” said Mguni.
He added that output was likely to increase due to the coming online of the Epping Forest and Rochester scheme.
“We are also glad to announce that the coming on-line of the Epping Forest, combined with output from the Rochester scheme in Nyamandlovu is expected to supply an additional groundwater of about 15 millilitres per day going forward,” he added.
Cllr Mguni said while the city authorities intended to suspend the water-shedding programme, it’s efforts were being disrupted by the power outages experienced in some areas.
“I am happy to note that it is the City’s intention to suspend water shedding earlier than scheduled. However, the current and regular power outages continue to disrupt the continuous pumping, destabilising some of the sensitive reservoirs such as Tuli and Magwegwe.
He also urged residents to continue saving water so that the supply can continue without any disruptions.
Bulawayo recently went on a 72-hour water shedding which has seen most parts of the city regularly receiving water supply.