Major burst affects Mutare water supply

Residents of Mutare are facing reduced water supply following the breakdown of a major water transmission line, which authorities say was caused by vandalism. The disruption is expected to affect the flow of water to the Christmas Pass balancing tanks, a key part of the city's water distribution infrastructure.

In a notice issued Thursday afternoon, Mutare City Council confirmed the incident and outlined its response plan.

"Notice is hereby given to our customers and stakeholders that we have recorded a breakdown of the 700mm clear water transmission line due to vandalism, resulting in reduced delivery of water to Christmas Pass balancing tanks," the council stated.

Repair works on the damaged infrastructure are scheduled for Friday, May 23, 2025.

To mitigate the impact of the outage, the local authority has arranged for water bowsers to deliver water to affected areas. These will be stationed at central points across the city to provide temporary relief.

The council also urged residents to conserve water and use it sparingly during the repair period.

Vandalism of critical infrastructure remains a serious concern for urban councils across Zimbabwe, often leading to service disruptions and costly repairs. The City of Mutare has not yet released details on the extent of the damage or whether any arrests have been made in connection with the vandalism.