News / National
BCC rehabilitates boreholes to ease water challenges
05 Dec 2024 at 06:55hrs | Views
The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has rehabilitated 111 boreholes since March 2024 as part of its efforts to address the city's ongoing water challenges, with support from various non-governmental organizations and stakeholders.
Council spokesperson Nesisa Mpofu revealed that the city currently has 419 community boreholes, with an annual target of repairing 120 by the end of 2024.
"So far, from January to present, 111 boreholes have been rehabilitated. The council is making frantic efforts to fix the remaining nine from 2024's target list," Mpofu said.
The rehabilitation project has involved both internal and external contributors. BCC staff repaired 42 boreholes, while Sida, a non-profit agency, rehabilitated 35 under a contract that ran from May to November 2024. UNICEF contributed by fixing 12 boreholes in June, and a contractor, funded with US$50,000 from internally-generated resources, is currently working on 22 boreholes.
"The contract sum for the rehabilitation project has been fully utilized, and the project's performance is under review," Mpofu added.
The initiative comes amid severe water shortages in Bulawayo, where residents often go days without water due to dwindling levels in supply dams. The city has already decommissioned Upper Ncema and Mzingwane dams, exacerbating the crisis.
In March, BCC began rehabilitating non-functional boreholes to provide alternative water sources for affected communities. The council's collaboration with external partners has been vital in accelerating these efforts.
Despite the progress, the city's water challenges remain critical, with residents calling for sustainable long-term solutions, including increased investment in water infrastructure and dam management.
Council spokesperson Nesisa Mpofu revealed that the city currently has 419 community boreholes, with an annual target of repairing 120 by the end of 2024.
"So far, from January to present, 111 boreholes have been rehabilitated. The council is making frantic efforts to fix the remaining nine from 2024's target list," Mpofu said.
The rehabilitation project has involved both internal and external contributors. BCC staff repaired 42 boreholes, while Sida, a non-profit agency, rehabilitated 35 under a contract that ran from May to November 2024. UNICEF contributed by fixing 12 boreholes in June, and a contractor, funded with US$50,000 from internally-generated resources, is currently working on 22 boreholes.
The initiative comes amid severe water shortages in Bulawayo, where residents often go days without water due to dwindling levels in supply dams. The city has already decommissioned Upper Ncema and Mzingwane dams, exacerbating the crisis.
In March, BCC began rehabilitating non-functional boreholes to provide alternative water sources for affected communities. The council's collaboration with external partners has been vital in accelerating these efforts.
Despite the progress, the city's water challenges remain critical, with residents calling for sustainable long-term solutions, including increased investment in water infrastructure and dam management.
Source - newsday
