Bulawayo City Council Tackles Over 1,800 Sanitation Chokes in October

BULAWAYO - The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has revealed that it dealt with more than 1,800 sanitation system chokes in October, highlighting ongoing challenges in the city’s water and sanitation infrastructure.


According to the latest council minutes, the Department of Water and Sanitation reported that a total of 1,841 chokes were cleared during October 2025, leaving a cumulative backlog of 76 cases.

The report further noted that wastewater received at all treatment works during the month totalled 201 megalitres (ML), averaging 6.493 ML per day.

Council emphasised that the Department of Water and Sanitation remains mandated to provide water and sanitation services to the general populace of Bulawayo.

However, the minutes highlighted ongoing difficulties in water provision, with supply dams at 37.77% capacity as of 31 October 2025. Frequent breakdowns in bulk water pumping and pipeline infrastructure, coupled with delays in mobilising resources for repairs, continue to pose challenges to consistent water delivery.