UZ to establish its own water treatment plant

The UNIVERSITY of Zimbabwe is set to establish its own water treatment plant to protect the institution from perennial water shortages, an official told The Herald.

The institution opened its halls of residence this semester after the construction of a 2,5 megalitre reservoir.

In an interview last week, UZ pro-vice chancellor Business Development, Dr Takaruza Munyanyiwa said feasibility studies were already underway.

"We want to have a water treatment plant of about 10 million litres as supplementary feeder to the main points," Dr Munyanyiwa said.

"At the moment we have one tank working of which the current solution only provides for three days cover while the second tank will give a-one-week cover."

He said the authorities also had plans to construct two more accommodation blocks with a combined carrying capacity of 800 to cater for female students.

Dr Munyanyiwa said of the 4 500 accommodation places available 826 were for female students

The university has an enrolment of 12 500 students.

He also said the country's oldest university wanted to set up an agro-based technology and a cattle-breeding centre.

UZ held a maiden fundraising day at the institution on Saturday with the proceeds expected to be channeled towards the resuscitation of the institution and disadvantaged students. In a statement last week, UZ acting spokesperson Mr Daniel Chihombori said proceeds would also be used as seed capital for the University Endowment Fund.

"Further, the benefits from UEF will be used to fund national research projects that address socio-economic issues, promote new technologies and the setting up of a technology resource centre at the university.
 The benefits of the UEF are immense and can only propel our country to the next level of economic prosperity," he said.