Harare announces major water shutdown

The City of Harare has announced a citywide water shutdown following a major pipe burst at the Warren Control water distribution centre, a critical component of the capital's water supply system. The shutdown will begin at 6 PM on Friday, June 20, and is expected to last until 6 PM on Sunday, June 22.

In a statement released Wednesday, Acting Town Clerk Engineer Phakamile Mabhena Moyo said the shutdown is necessary to allow engineers to assess and repair the damaged pipeline. The emergency maintenance work will also cover two additional pipe bursts discovered along the same network.

The temporary halt in water supply is set to affect several suburbs across the capital. Areas expected to experience disruptions include Tynwald, Southerton, Eastlea, Hillside, Braeside, Milton Park, and the Central Business District. Parirenyatwa Hospital, one of the country's key health institutions, will also be impacted by the outage.

However, Moyo clarified that suburbs in the western high-density areas such as Glen View, Budiriro, Kuwadzana, and Mufakose will not be affected during the shutdown period, as they are served by a different supply route.

Calling on residents to use water sparingly, Moyo emphasized the importance of the intervention, noting that the work is aimed at restoring the reliability of the city's ageing water infrastructure. He acknowledged the inconvenience the shutdown would cause but urged the public to bear with the council as critical repairs are made.

Harare's water system has faced persistent challenges over the years, with bursts and leaks frequently disrupting supply in several parts of the city. Authorities have been under pressure to upgrade the infrastructure amid concerns about water quality, availability, and the city's growing population.

Residents are being encouraged to store adequate water ahead of the shutdown and to stay updated on any further developments through official City of Harare channels.