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Bulawayo dams still low despite recent rainfall
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Despite recent rains in and around Bulawayo, the city's water supply dams remain critically low, leaving residents to endure prolonged water rationing. The drought of the past two years has left dam levels far from recovery, with the current rainy season providing only a modest improvement.
Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart revealed that the combined water level of all supply dams currently stands at just 27.4 percent. This figure underscores the ongoing need for water rationing, as recent rainfall has not been sufficient to ease the city's water crisis.
"Some residents have been asking why we haven't lifted water rationing since the rains have fallen. This made me realize there's an assumption that the recent rains have miraculously filled the dams. That isn't the case. We know we need a lot more rain," Coltart said.
The mayor explained that dam levels have risen by only 4 percent since the start of the rainy season. He estimated that at least three more weeks of heavy rainfall, similar to what has been experienced recently, would be required to reach adequate water levels.
The city's water woes have been compounded by the decommissioning of two major supply dams. Umzingwane Dam was decommissioned in December 2023, followed by Upper Ncema in October 2024, both due to extremely low water capacity.
Councillor Aleck Ndlovu stressed the need for better communication between the council and residents about the impact of different types of rainfall on dam levels.
"Residents need to understand which types of rainfall influence heavy inflow into the supply dams. Their questions about why water restrictions remain despite the rain show there's an information gap from the council's side," Ndlovu said.
He added that since the beginning of the rainy season, only three instances of significant rainfall had contributed meaningfully to dam levels.
Ndlovu urged the council to provide regular updates to residents about the city's water situation and the progress of dam recovery. He emphasized that such efforts would help manage expectations and reduce frustration among residents facing ongoing water shedding.
Bulawayo, like much of Zimbabwe, has been grappling with the effects of climate change and erratic rainfall patterns, which have exacerbated water shortages. For now, city officials and residents alike are hoping for sustained rainfall to ease the burden of water rationing and ensure a stable supply for the future.
Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart revealed that the combined water level of all supply dams currently stands at just 27.4 percent. This figure underscores the ongoing need for water rationing, as recent rainfall has not been sufficient to ease the city's water crisis.
"Some residents have been asking why we haven't lifted water rationing since the rains have fallen. This made me realize there's an assumption that the recent rains have miraculously filled the dams. That isn't the case. We know we need a lot more rain," Coltart said.
The mayor explained that dam levels have risen by only 4 percent since the start of the rainy season. He estimated that at least three more weeks of heavy rainfall, similar to what has been experienced recently, would be required to reach adequate water levels.
The city's water woes have been compounded by the decommissioning of two major supply dams. Umzingwane Dam was decommissioned in December 2023, followed by Upper Ncema in October 2024, both due to extremely low water capacity.
Councillor Aleck Ndlovu stressed the need for better communication between the council and residents about the impact of different types of rainfall on dam levels.
"Residents need to understand which types of rainfall influence heavy inflow into the supply dams. Their questions about why water restrictions remain despite the rain show there's an information gap from the council's side," Ndlovu said.
He added that since the beginning of the rainy season, only three instances of significant rainfall had contributed meaningfully to dam levels.
Ndlovu urged the council to provide regular updates to residents about the city's water situation and the progress of dam recovery. He emphasized that such efforts would help manage expectations and reduce frustration among residents facing ongoing water shedding.
Bulawayo, like much of Zimbabwe, has been grappling with the effects of climate change and erratic rainfall patterns, which have exacerbated water shortages. For now, city officials and residents alike are hoping for sustained rainfall to ease the burden of water rationing and ensure a stable supply for the future.
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