BULAWAYO City Council has reported that 76 of its boreholes around the city broke down, leaving residents scavenging for water.
The city has rolled out a water-shedding programme due to lowsupplies.
According to latest full council meeting minutes, the department of water and sanitation said the rehabilitation of the boreholes was being hindered by a shortage of spare parts.
“The total borehole breakdown report cumulatively is 78. Two boreholes were repaired in the month of May, leaving a deficit of 76. A minimum number of boreholes were repaired in the month of May, due to the shortage of spare parts and a truck,” the minutes read.
“The city had a total of 23 water kiosks installed in the community and 22 within institutions. Two water kiosks in Emakhandeni and Pelandaba were disinfected and commissioned for use.”
The local authority revealed that water is being ferried to some of the kiosks using bowsers.
“Main challenges faced with water kiosks are that they are reliant on water being conveyed by bowsers as the city is also constrained with water tanker resources,” the minutes read.
“The city had a complement of seven bowsers and currently three are functional. Periodically, the city is hiring bowsers to cater specifically for high-lying areas and funerals.
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“In the month of May 2024, the city hired two bowsers to cater specifically for high-lying areas and funerals.”
According to the minutes, it was recommended that boreholes whose water was not safe for human consumption be marked and residents informed.
Town clerk Christopher Dube urged residents to pool resources together for borehole construction and repairs.
