Nkosentsha Khumalo
Chantelle Bongubukhosi Ncube
Bulawayo – As Umzingwane Dam’s water levels evaporate like a mirage in the desert, the City of Bulawayo is yet to face a terrifying reality of a looming water crisis that could plunge the city into a state of chaos and despondency.
With the Government’s promised US$14 million nowhere in sight, and a desperate plea from the city’s Mayor Senator David Coltart falling on deaf ears, the city is racing against time to prevent an impending catastrophe.
For the City of Kings and Queens, the looming water crisis is an impending nightmare, with Umzingwane Dam’s water levels plummeting to a staggeringly low of 2.3%.
With diversion pipelines to draw water from other dams yet to be installed and the promised government funds of US$14 million still not released, Senator Coltart, has made an urgent plea to the Minister of Finance, Mthuli Ncube, to alleviate the impending water crisis.
The absence of a solution could spell disaster for the city.
During an organized tour of the Mzingwane and Inyankuni projects led by the Bulawayo Water Technical Committee, City of Bulawayo Councillors, and Management, it was revealed that the Umzingwane Dam has reached a dangerously low water level of 2.3%.
Despite an urgent plea from Mayor Coltart to Minister Mthuli Ncube for the release of the promised US$14 million, the funding has yet to be secured, leaving the Royal City on the brink of a potentially devastating water crisis.
Adding to the City’s concerns, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Resettlement, the invited guest of honor to the project tour, was notably absent. This raised additional worries about the government’s seriousness commitment to address the water crisis already plunging the country’s second largest City in dire.
Senator Coltart spoke with urgency about the severity of Bulawayo’s water crisis stating that,
“Bulawayo faces an absolute crisis, as Umzingwane Dam, a vital water source for the City, is “empty,” with a level of just 2.3%. The pumps that draw water from the dam are now futilely pumping nothing.”
“This situation is further compounded by the fact that catchment areas in many parts of Umzingwane have been devastated by gold panners, who are digging large trenches in some parts of the river. As a result, even if it rains, some of the water will not flow into the dams but will be lost in these trenches.”
“Our dams across board are sitting at 32%, which is far too low for a bad season. Normally, they should be sitting at around 70% after a bad season.”
Coltart expressed hope that government funding could alleviate the crisis. He noted that the government had already paid 70 billion Zim dollars in January and promised an additional US$40 million in April. He explained that the money is necessary to import key components for the pumps, which are not manufactured locally.
Senator Coltart also identified Umtshabezi dam, sitting at 53%, as a potential solution to the City’s water crisis, as it has sufficient water to supply Bulawayo.
However, the pump station at Umzingwane cannot be used to extract water from Umtshabezi, necessitating the installation of diversionary pipelines.
Coltart then emphasised the need for government funding to address this issue, stating,
“My appeal to the government is that they release those funds so as to install diversionary pipelines.”
“Lower Ncema and Upper Ncema dams will be decommissioned by the end of October, which basically means that the City will be sorely relying on Umtshabezi, Insiza, and Inyankuni dams which is presently sitting at 22%.”
The Director of Engineering Services, Sikhumbuzo Ncube, provided insight into the City’s’s efforts to address the water crisis.
Ncube reported that the City has received funding to rehabilitate the Umzingwane and Inyankuni booster stations, enabling the replacement of outdated pumps dating back to 1957.
“We received funding in December equivalent to 1.2 million US dollars, which we utilized to replace outdated pumps dating back to 1957 through our contractors, Pump Systems Africa. This company is replacing the inlet pipes, pumps, and outlet pipes at the Umzingwane booster station because it draws water from the Umzingwane dam, which is the dam that stabilizes our system in Bulawayo.”
“It is imperative that we increase the pumping capacity of our stations to prepare for the rainy season, ensuring we are not caught off guard if the dams fill quickly. Umzingwane dam is connected to Umtshabezi dam through a series of reservoirs, enabling the water from these dams to flow to Ncema treatment works.
“The water reaches reservoir 4 and joins the Umzingwane water, which then travels to Ncema treatment works,” said Ncube.
Project Manager for Pump Systems Africa confirmed that the company has begun replacing the old pumps with new ones.
“The efficiency of the old pumps had decreased. We are also installing floor monitoring systems to manage leakages and other challenges. These additional works will help improve the water situation in Bulawayo.”
He went on to stress the importance of a comprehensive upgrade,
“It is critical to upgrade the entire system, as there is no point in introducing state-of-the-art technology in one area if the rest of the system remains outdated.”
Zim GBC News ©2024