News / Local
Zvishavane runs dry as pumps collapse
28 Mar 2017 at 06:35hrs | Views
The small mining town of Zvishavane has run without tape water for the past five days because two water pumps at the council's Ngezi water treatment have collapsed.
Town Secretary Tinoda Mukutu confirmed the development and the pumps at Ngezi water works broke down over the weekend thereby causing an acute shortage of water supply.
Mukutu said council is currently working on standby pumps while the two broken down pumps are being attended to.
"Our two raw water pumps at Ngezi water works are down. We have four pumps and two broke down hence we are working on standby pumps. The council sincerely regrets the current situation and encourages residents and ratepayers to bear with us while we work on resolving the problem," he said.
Asked on why Zvishavane tap water is not clear, Mukutu said the council is pumping its water direct from the river and due to massive red soils it is difficult to have 100 percent clear water even after massive treatment.
"Our water is pumped directly from the river and not a dam so due to massive red soils along Ngezi River it is difficult to treat the water until it becomes 100 percent clear. Everyday we use 20 bags of Aluminum sulphate, HTH and chlorine gas that is more than enough to treat water. People must not be alarmed by the colour, our water is totally safe and approved by health experts," he said.
Town Secretary Tinoda Mukutu confirmed the development and the pumps at Ngezi water works broke down over the weekend thereby causing an acute shortage of water supply.
Mukutu said council is currently working on standby pumps while the two broken down pumps are being attended to.
"Our two raw water pumps at Ngezi water works are down. We have four pumps and two broke down hence we are working on standby pumps. The council sincerely regrets the current situation and encourages residents and ratepayers to bear with us while we work on resolving the problem," he said.
Asked on why Zvishavane tap water is not clear, Mukutu said the council is pumping its water direct from the river and due to massive red soils it is difficult to have 100 percent clear water even after massive treatment.
"Our water is pumped directly from the river and not a dam so due to massive red soils along Ngezi River it is difficult to treat the water until it becomes 100 percent clear. Everyday we use 20 bags of Aluminum sulphate, HTH and chlorine gas that is more than enough to treat water. People must not be alarmed by the colour, our water is totally safe and approved by health experts," he said.
Source - Masvingo Mirror
