By Samuel Tinotenda Dzingirai
Residents in Harare’s Glenview suburb have raised alarm over ongoing water shortages which they pose a health threat as they are forced to fetch water from unprotected sources of water.
Glen View and Budiriro were the epicenters of the cholera outbreak which claimed more than 4000 people in 2008-2009.
In an interview with Zimreview.com, some residents said efforts to bring the issue to the attention of council officials was in vain.
“We have been complaining about this for several times and it seems as if the City Council has totally failed to address the issue. We do not have enough boreholes to supply enough water and this results in long queues
“Sometimes we spent more hours at the borehole struggling to leave with at least 1 or 2 buckets of water. As for me it is better that I don’t go to work so I can sacrifice my time at borehole, but I feel sorry for working class people may not have time to come here. We are given limited hours to fetch water at this borehole. Due to pressure people end up fighting,” said Dudzai Mapuranga who was fetching water at a borehole near Glenview 1 shops
Another resident Robert Kamuzi said he is forced to go to work without bathing because he wants to spare the little amount of water that he has for cooking.
“The situation is now beyond our control, imagine coming from work tired and queuing for water. At times I am forced to go to work without bathing because I will be trying to save the 5 litres of water that I have for cooking purposes,” said Kamuzi
Contacted for a comment acting Harare City Council spokesperson, Innocent Ruwende said the situation had been compounded by chemical shortages.
“The environment management committee has resolved that council relation water in the wake of suppressed water production. Our local aluminum sulphate supplier is facing production challenges while the delivery of the imported granular substitute has also been inconsistent thereby affecting portable water production and subsequent equitable distribution to residents of Harare.
“On Sunday Council received four loads of imported granular sulphate without a further 16 loads still enroute from Beira to Harare. Production at Morton Jaffray water works currently stands at 136 megalitres out of an available capacity of 450 ML and Prince Edward 78. All efforts are being made to work out sustainable solution to the problem. Resident are therefore encouraged to use availed supplies conservatively all the time they receive water. All inconveniences caused are sincerely regretted,” said Ruwende
Perennial water woes in the capital have been attributed to shortages of treatment chemicals.
