Bulawayo’s water crisis has reached alarming levels, prompting urgent action from leaders. Mayor David Coltart, accompanied by Minister of Water Dr. Anxious Masuka, conducted a pivotal inspection of the Mtshabezi, Umzingwane, and Insiza dams on Friday, revealing critical infrastructure issues that are hindering the city’s water supply.
Despite Mtshabezi Dam being over 50% full, its outdated pipeline can only deliver a maximum of 17 megaliters per day—far below Bulawayo’s daily requirement of 165 megaliters. Coltart emphasized, “While we have a significant body of water at Mtshabezi, we are only harnessing a fraction of its capacity.” Currently, due to persistent power cuts, the dam is managing to pump only about 13 megaliters daily, a situation that has become untenable.
The Mayor highlighted that the pipeline’s design and the reliance on gravity feeding result in further losses, reducing the effective flow to as little as 9 megaliters by the time it reaches Ncema. He urged the completion of upgrades to the Umzingwane pump station, expected to be finalized within two weeks, and advocated for a crucial pipeline diversion to improve efficiency.
Coltart also addressed ongoing funding delays from the government, which have stalled essential infrastructure improvements. Dr. Masuka pledged to expedite the release of necessary funds and streamline procurement processes to address these urgent needs.
In addition, the Insiza Dam is currently at 38% capacity and facing rapid evaporation. Although it has a design capacity of 55 megaliters per day, technical issues have limited its output to approximately 46 megaliters. Coltart noted that clearing siltation along the pipeline could restore its full potential.
The situation at the Nyamandlovu aquifer shows some improvement, with current yields of 15 megaliters per day after tackling theft issues. However, even with these measures, the total water supply remains critically low.
“It’s imperative that we act swiftly to prevent a worsening crisis,” Coltart warned. He called for urgent government approvals for the construction of the Glassblock Bopoma Dam, which could provide an additional 70 megaliters daily, ensuring water security for Bulawayo through 2040.
With the city facing such severe challenges, the Mayor’s inspection and subsequent calls for action underscore the urgent need for coordinated efforts to enhance water infrastructure and management. The community awaits swift government action to avert an escalating crisis.
