Bulawayo residents push for dual water system?

BULAWAYO residents are urging the city council to introduce separate potable and non-potable water supply systems as part of efforts to conserve treated water, reduce wastage and minimise damage to roads caused by runoff.

Residents from Ward 7 in Sizinda, together with the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA), say the local authority should consider adopting a dual water distribution model similar to systems already in use in other parts of Zimbabwe.

One Ward 7 resident, who requested anonymity, said the city should establish collection points where runoff water could be harvested and stored for reuse in non-drinking applications.

"We used to have places like Vinivini in Mahleka where we could catch fish. They closed it after filling it with sand, despite our objections, because that is where they used to draw water for road construction and other projects in the surrounding areas," the resident said.

"So, if we can identify a place where we can have a local dam to collect runoff water that is currently going to waste and damaging our roads, that could be another solution to our problem."

The resident also expressed concern over the quality of water supplied to households, saying residents at times receive discoloured water from their taps.

"Sometimes I am shocked because we usually receive dirty water from our taps," he said.

"Can a system be put in place that separates non-potable water from potable water? There is a place in Zimbabwe, around Triangle, where there are two separate water systems."

BPRA chairperson Steven Nkomo said the idea of introducing reclaimed water had previously been raised with the Bulawayo City Council.

"We have discussed such an idea with the council," Nkomo said.

"I remember we used to have what was called reclaimed water, and during our discussions we asked why the system had been discontinued."

He proposed that different water sources be dedicated to specific uses in order to ease pressure on the city's potable water supplies.

"We wish Khami Dam water could be treated and supplied as reclaimed water for domestic purposes such as washing, gardening and other non-drinking uses," he said.

"Water from the city’s other dams could then be reserved for drinking and cooking."

The calls come as Bulawayo continues to grapple with recurring water shortages, with residents arguing that separating drinking water from water used for domestic and industrial purposes would improve water management, reduce unnecessary treatment costs and help preserve scarce potable supplies.