News / Local
Mtshabezi Pipeline not yet fully operational, generators not powerful enough
23 Feb 2013 at 20:05hrs | Views
Fact sheet
- BCC pumping just over 10% of projected capacity
- Govt blames it on use of generators
- Construction of powerline 90% complete
THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) is reportedly drawing just over 10 percent of the projected 17 megalitres a day from the Mtshabezi Dam as it has since emerged that the generators installed at the pipeline are not powerful enough for it to operate at full capacity.
These recent revelations come despite widespread speculation that the Mtshabezi-Umzingwane pipeline link project was going to ease the water woes bedevilling the local authority.
According to water supply statistics provided by the municipality, as at 19 February BCC was drawing just 1,9 megalitres of water from Mtshabezi out of the initial projection of 17 megalitres, which the local authority attributed to the usage of generators. This translates to an overall percentage of 11,18 of the projected capacity.
"Please note that currently Mtshabezi supplies an average of 1,9 megalitres a day compared to a projected amount of 17 megalitres a day due to current usage of generators," reads the report.
Contacted for comment the city's mayor, Councillor Thaba Moyo said the best person who could comment on the matter was Water Resources, Management and Development Minister Dr Samuel Sipepa Nkomo.
"I can confirm that unlike what had been projected when the project was completed, we are pumping way below the 17 megalitre mark. I am made to understand that this can be done only when the powerline is completed and electricity is connected, when that will be done is out of our hands as Minister Nkomo is the one handling that," said Clr Moyo.
However, Minister Nkomo referred all questions to his personal assistant, Mr Butholezwe Nyathi as he said he was just coming out of hospital.
Mr Nyathi said the main hindrance was that of the powerline as generators could not effectively pump the projected 17 megalitres.
He said the ministry was constantly monitoring the contracted company, AC Controls, to ensure that the powerline is completed as a matter of urgency.
"Yes the pipeline project was duly completed but because the electrification process was started midway it is going to be finished at a later date. You cannot expect the current generators to perform at full capacity but we have to wait for the powerline from Gwanda to the dam to be completed.
"At the moment I can confirm that the project is now 90 percent complete. We will continue to pressurise the contractor to complete it as a matter of urgency," said Mr Nyathi.
He said what was important was that the generators were a mere emergency facility to pump the little water possible to the city and ease the burden.
BCC recently reduced the water shedding schedule from 96 hours to 72 hours per week after the city experienced an increase in their overall supply dam water levels. As at 19 February, the city's supply dams were 52,25 percent full.
- BCC pumping just over 10% of projected capacity
- Govt blames it on use of generators
- Construction of powerline 90% complete
THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) is reportedly drawing just over 10 percent of the projected 17 megalitres a day from the Mtshabezi Dam as it has since emerged that the generators installed at the pipeline are not powerful enough for it to operate at full capacity.
These recent revelations come despite widespread speculation that the Mtshabezi-Umzingwane pipeline link project was going to ease the water woes bedevilling the local authority.
According to water supply statistics provided by the municipality, as at 19 February BCC was drawing just 1,9 megalitres of water from Mtshabezi out of the initial projection of 17 megalitres, which the local authority attributed to the usage of generators. This translates to an overall percentage of 11,18 of the projected capacity.
"Please note that currently Mtshabezi supplies an average of 1,9 megalitres a day compared to a projected amount of 17 megalitres a day due to current usage of generators," reads the report.
Contacted for comment the city's mayor, Councillor Thaba Moyo said the best person who could comment on the matter was Water Resources, Management and Development Minister Dr Samuel Sipepa Nkomo.
"I can confirm that unlike what had been projected when the project was completed, we are pumping way below the 17 megalitre mark. I am made to understand that this can be done only when the powerline is completed and electricity is connected, when that will be done is out of our hands as Minister Nkomo is the one handling that," said Clr Moyo.
However, Minister Nkomo referred all questions to his personal assistant, Mr Butholezwe Nyathi as he said he was just coming out of hospital.
Mr Nyathi said the main hindrance was that of the powerline as generators could not effectively pump the projected 17 megalitres.
He said the ministry was constantly monitoring the contracted company, AC Controls, to ensure that the powerline is completed as a matter of urgency.
"Yes the pipeline project was duly completed but because the electrification process was started midway it is going to be finished at a later date. You cannot expect the current generators to perform at full capacity but we have to wait for the powerline from Gwanda to the dam to be completed.
"At the moment I can confirm that the project is now 90 percent complete. We will continue to pressurise the contractor to complete it as a matter of urgency," said Mr Nyathi.
He said what was important was that the generators were a mere emergency facility to pump the little water possible to the city and ease the burden.
BCC recently reduced the water shedding schedule from 96 hours to 72 hours per week after the city experienced an increase in their overall supply dam water levels. As at 19 February, the city's supply dams were 52,25 percent full.
Source - SN
