Published by the government of Zimbabwe
10 May 2008
Harare — Difficulties in procuring water treatment chemicals this week forced Zinwa to reduce the amount of water it normally produces, an official said yesterday.
Zinwa spokesperson Marjorie Munyonga said the water utility was battling to maintain production at Morton Jeffray and Prince Edward water works.
She would not, however, give current output figures saying the problem was linked to lack of funding and unavailability on the local market of some water treatment chemicals. "Production has been reduced at our water works. We are engaging various stakeholders to make sure that production will not continue to decrease.
"Our biggest challenge is accessing liquid aluminium sulphate, sodium silicate and white hydrated lime," she said. There were fears the reduction in the output of treated water would severely affect supplies to Harare and surrounding towns, which already faced periodic water cuts. Munyonga said Zinwa was trying to source funding to boost output of treated water.
Sources at Zimphos, a major chemical supplier to Zinwa, said they were unable to supply some of the chemicals to the water authority because of production challenges the company was facing, mainly shortage of foreign currency. Zimphos is also said to have been affected by non-payment by some clients, including Zinwa. The water woes have been worsened by increased demand.
Water experts said the authority should also prioritise upgrading wastewater treatment plants to help reduce pollution and cut down on treatment costs. The authority's warning comes after some eastern parts of Harare have gone for more than two weeks without water. The situation has forced residents, especially in Mabvuku and Tafara, to resort to using unsafe water from shallow wells thereby raising fears of disease outbreak.
Residents interviewed yesterday said the situation was no longer bearable and castigated Zinwa for taking too long to rectify the situation. "We last had normal supplies last week on Thursday and what do these people from Zinwa want us to do? "We have gone for more than seven continuous days without water. We urge the authorities to act urgently on this issue," said Ms Emilia Rukaro of New Mabvuku.
Mr Shungu Muzavazi of Tafara residents were drawing water from unprotected sources heightening fears of disease outbreaks.
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