Pressure mounts on Bulawayo water supply despite moderate dam levels

Bulawayo's water supply remains under pressure despite moderate dam levels, with officials warning that conservation remains critical as the city continues to battle persistent shortages.

This emerged during a joint tour of Upper Ncema Dam and Umzingwane Dam by residents, government representatives and the Bulawayo City Council (BCC).

The tour, organised in collaboration with the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) and the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, aimed to assess water levels and better understand the challenges affecting supply to the city.

Bulawayo relies on dams located in Matabeleland South, making rainfall patterns in the province crucial to its water security. Prolonged dry spells in recent years have pushed dam levels to critical lows, forcing authorities to implement strict water rationing.

BPRA director Permanent Ngoma said the tour helped residents appreciate the complexity of the situation.

"What we have seen highlights that the challenges are multifaceted, ranging from environmental pressures to infrastructure limitations and resource constraints," she said.

Ngoma warned that illegal mining in catchment areas is worsening the crisis by reducing inflows and accelerating siltation.

"There is clear evidence that illegal mining upstream is negatively affecting inflows into our supply dams," she said.

Providing a technical update, BCC engineer Milton Gwetu said Upper Ncema Dam is currently at 55 percent capacity, while Umzingwane Dam stands at 46 percent — levels that remain insufficient given the city's high demand.

"The challenge is not only about the availability of raw water, but also the cost and efficiency of pumping and delivering that water," he said, citing ageing infrastructure, high energy costs and long distances between supply points as key constraints.

BPRA director Stephen Nkomo described the tour as an eye-opener.

"We now have a clearer appreciation of the technical, environmental and financial realities affecting water delivery," he said.

Bulawayo has long struggled with water shortages due to erratic rainfall, limited dam capacity and growing demand. In response, government has stepped up its involvement in water management, focusing on improved coordination and long-term planning.

Major infrastructure projects are also being pursued, including the Lake Gwayi-Shangani, which is expected to provide a long-term solution once completed.

Meanwhile, the proposed Glassblock Dam — a US$98 million development planned for the Upper Umzingwane catchment — is being positioned as a medium-term intervention to boost supply capacity.

Authorities say protecting water catchment areas and investing in infrastructure will be critical to securing Bulawayo's future water needs.