City of Gweru goes for two days without water

THE City of Gweru and its immediate surroundings yesterday entered its second day without water as the authorities reportedly battle to attend to a major breakdown at the city's Range Booster.

In a statement yesterday, Gweru Town Clerk Mr Daniel Matawu said the water challenges were likely to last for the whole of this week.

He said the water challenges were as a result of a burnt mortar at Range Booster.

"The Gweru City Council would like to inform all the residents of Gweru that one of the pump sets at our Range Booster has developed a serious fault. The fault involves a burnt mortar," he said.

Mr Matawu said the city will only be able to supply half of the city's water demand.

"Since currently there is no standby capacity at Range Booster, the council will only be  able to  supply 50 percent of the normal demand during the time that repairs are being carried out. Unfortunately, this has resulted in serious water shortages during the day citywide, mostly high lying places," he said.

Mr Matawu urged residents in areas that were receiving water during daytime to limit their usage so as to preserve the pressure in the system.

"This will help in increasing the supply coverage. We are likely to have solved the challenge by Friday," he said.

The development comes barely some weeks after the Gweru City Council announced that the city's major supply dam, Gwenoro was now only five percent full.

In a report which was presented at a Midlands Business Opportunities Forum, the council warned residents to brace for serious water challenges in the city.

Mr Tapiwa Marerwa, an assistant in the Town Clerk's office, told delegates that the city's water could last up to September, if residents continue to disregard the water rationing regime.