Harare — Zinwa has contracted China Water and Electrical Company to replace old pipes with new sewer lines in the western suburbs.

The company recently completed the Marimba pipeline.

Zinwa public relations manager Mrs Marjory Munyonga yesterday said the project would be completed within 24 months.

"We are undertaking a pipe replacement programme in which we are going to upgrade sewer lines in all operational districts in the western suburbs.

"The programme is going to start in Glen View, Budiriro and Kuwadzana and would be spread to other areas.

"We have the pipes and the contractor is already on site as we speak he is carrying out the same project in Mufakose and Marimba," she said.

She said once the project was completed, there would be an improvement in wastewater collections, conveyance and disposal in line with the Harare Sewerage Master Plan which came into effect in 2003.

Mrs Munyonga said the authority would increase pipe sizes to mitigate bursts.

"We are going to make sure that the minimum pipe size for sewage collection from a stand is 150mm in diameter and should be PVC or asbestos cement.

"We are doing away with the earthenware pipes that were used in the pre-colonial days as they are prone to structural failure especially in high density suburbs where there are wetlands," she said.