THE City of Bulawayo is facing another serious water supply challenge due to its ageing and dilapidated water infrastructure.
Town clerk Christopher Dube said the water supply challenges began on March 20 when a faulty VJ coupling at Claremount resulted in a major leak on the Flowserve Raw Water pipeline.
“The City of Bulawayo pipeline inspectors and boilermakers commenced repairs on March 21 at 5pm and worked diligently until March 22 at 1:30 in the morning,” Dube said in a statement.
“Further complicating the situation on March 23, the Sulzer raw water pump malfunctioned and there was also another leak discovered upstream at Claremount (Ndlovu Farm) on the Flowserve line, which required repairs. Remedial works on the Flowserve line were done and completed on March 23 by 5pm.
“Pumping operations on the Flowserve line were resumed after all necessary valves were opened, resuming stabilisation of reservoirs and gradual supply restoration.”
He said Umzingwane raw water pipeline at uMzinyathi and the Sulzer raw water pump repairs were still outstanding, awaiting delivery of necessary materials.
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“Due to the outstanding works, the City of Bulawayo would like to advise residents and stakeholders of supply interruptions in all residential and industrial areas,” Dube said.
“The city is committed to addressing these infrastructural challenges and we are working tirelessly to resolve the situation as soon as possible.”
Bulawayo faces recurrent water challenges as the city’s five supply dams fail to meet demand. The supply dams are less than 50% full.
The city is now banking on the ambitious Glassblock Bopoma Dam project, a crucial initiative aimed at securing stable water supply for the city.
The proposed dam, to be built on Mzingwane River, will have a capacity of 130 million cubic metres of water.
It has been identified as a medium-term solution to the city’s water challenges and it will usher in rural industrialisation through irrigation.
This is because the long-waited Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project has taken years to materialise.
The estimated construction cost for Glassblock Bopoma Dam is US$100 million.
Government awarded the engineering, procurement and construction contract to J R Goddard Contracting.
