Crisis as New Magwegwe goes for 3 weeks without water
Providence Moyo
New Magwegwe residents have bemoaned lack of access to water as dry taps have become the order of the day for the past three weeks.
Residents who spoke to Community Podium said they have been leaving their taps open hoping for a gush of the precious liquid that has proved elusive.
A resident, Lwazi Ncube said the situation is a ticking time bomb that could see waterborne diseases exploding in the area.
“This is bound to breed waterborne diseases in our area because we are forced to use boreholes and swamps which are not safe. Water is life and without water we are have no life. Sesiphila ngokukha emthonjeni egobhozayo kodwa every month ama bill amanzi ayabuya elentengo ephezulu,” he said.
Another resident Ngqabutho Mahlangu proposed that the Bulawayo City Council must declare a state of emergency over the water situation in the City.
Speaking during an online discussion on the Bulawayo Revival group, Bulawayo residents argued that the water drought in Byo needed urgent and aggressive efforts at curbing the challenge.
Yesterday, the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) released its water restoration strategy.
In a circular, the local authority said Bulawayo communities that had experienced indefinite water shedding will have water with effect from 06 March 2023.
“This is made possibel due to 36 hours of uninterrupted supply of power to our pump stations and treatment plants which enable the city reservoirs to be temporarily stabilized,” said the statement.
The local authority highlited that the restoration strategy will be dependent on “availability of electricity to both our pumps and treatment plants and enabling our reservoir to remain stable”.
According to the statement, high lying areas will be opened between 12: 00 and 16:00 whilst all areas will have water betweem 16:00 and 19:00.
According to section 77 of the Constitution, access to water is a fundamental human right that is essential for life.
