News / Local
Bulawayo residents turn to sewage water
21 Oct 2012 at 06:10hrs | Views
THE water crisis in Bulawayo has forced desperate residents to turn to sewage water for domestic use, posing a serious a humanitarian health hazard in a city where council increased water-shedding to 96 hours a week.
Residents of Entumbane and Njube areas have resorted to using sewage water, especially that flowing near Gibixhegu bar for their domestic and reticulation uses.
Responding to a call by concerned residents, a Sunday News crew visited the area and saw several people fetching water from the sewer system.
Residents, who spoke to Sunday News, said fetching water from the sewerage was the norm.
Mr Blessing Moyo said it had been weeks since the people had water coming out of their taps.
"It may seem unbelievable but yes the people have no choice, we need the water. I think some boil it first before they do anything otherwise the health risk will just be too much," he said.
Mr Moyo said Entumbane had some boreholes but the demand for water was too much as people flocked to them in their numbers.
"The boreholes are used all day and the queues are too long to be managed but there are some who spend the whole day queuing," he said.
Mr Shelton Moyo could only shake his head and mumble how it was unfair to see people struggling for water.
"People have to clean their toilets, they have to water their gardens and to bath. How will they do that without water? That is why you see them collecting water at the sewer," he said.
Some have complained how the water-shedding exercise is no longer appropriate because even before the 96 hours, the residents lacked water for at least two to three weeks.
The residents said it was out of desperation they resorted to using sewerage water as they had to continue with their domestic chores.
Mrs Sukoluhle Manzini said in her household there were nine family members, who all had to bathe and use the ablution facilities.
"We use this water to flush our toilets. We have some clean water stored but we can't use that in our toilets, for bathing or washing. If we do, how will we survive without drinking water. Sibanengi phela," she said.
Yet, the city council announced it will with effect from tomorrow, increase the water-shedding period to four days per week in all suburbs as water levels in the remaining supply dams continue to dwindle.
The city council said that move was necessitated by declining dam levels attributable to a below normal rainfall season and the high levels of water consumption experienced in the city.
Residents of Entumbane and Njube areas have resorted to using sewage water, especially that flowing near Gibixhegu bar for their domestic and reticulation uses.
Responding to a call by concerned residents, a Sunday News crew visited the area and saw several people fetching water from the sewer system.
Residents, who spoke to Sunday News, said fetching water from the sewerage was the norm.
Mr Blessing Moyo said it had been weeks since the people had water coming out of their taps.
"It may seem unbelievable but yes the people have no choice, we need the water. I think some boil it first before they do anything otherwise the health risk will just be too much," he said.
Mr Moyo said Entumbane had some boreholes but the demand for water was too much as people flocked to them in their numbers.
"The boreholes are used all day and the queues are too long to be managed but there are some who spend the whole day queuing," he said.
"People have to clean their toilets, they have to water their gardens and to bath. How will they do that without water? That is why you see them collecting water at the sewer," he said.
Some have complained how the water-shedding exercise is no longer appropriate because even before the 96 hours, the residents lacked water for at least two to three weeks.
The residents said it was out of desperation they resorted to using sewerage water as they had to continue with their domestic chores.
Mrs Sukoluhle Manzini said in her household there were nine family members, who all had to bathe and use the ablution facilities.
"We use this water to flush our toilets. We have some clean water stored but we can't use that in our toilets, for bathing or washing. If we do, how will we survive without drinking water. Sibanengi phela," she said.
Yet, the city council announced it will with effect from tomorrow, increase the water-shedding period to four days per week in all suburbs as water levels in the remaining supply dams continue to dwindle.
The city council said that move was necessitated by declining dam levels attributable to a below normal rainfall season and the high levels of water consumption experienced in the city.
Source - sundaynews
