Bulawayo Reports Water Discoloration Following Recent Rains at Umzingwane Dam
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The City of Bulawayo issued an official notice on February 7, 2026, addressing water discoloration reported in certain areas of the city, according to a statement from Town Clerk Christopher Dube.
“The City of Bulawayo has received concerns and reports from residents and stakeholders about water discoloration in certain parts of the City,” the notice stated.
According to the municipal authority, laboratory tests indicate that most chemical parameters of the water supply remain within acceptable standards. “Regular operational monitoring and laboratory tests show that most chemical aspects of the water, such as pH, conductivity and alkalinity are within acceptable standards. The main concern is turbidity which affects the appearance of the water causing discoloration,” the notice stated.
The municipality identified the source of the issue: “The main cause of the discoloration is due to high turbidity in the raw water coming from Umzingwane Dam especially after recent rains.”
The statement explained the impact on treatment processes: “Under these conditions, some treatment processes such as sedimentation and sludge dewatering are more difficult. This has caused leftover sediment to move within the system. As a result, consumers might see discoloration or occasional odour at consumer taps.”
The city outlined interventions being implemented, including monitoring the water system and flushing affected areas, reviewing and optimizing removal processes with maintenance and upgrades, and “quickly purchasing equipment and parts to make the treatment plant more efficient, especially during high turbidity conditions.”
“The City is committed to restoring normal water quality and will keep residents updated on progress. Continuous checks are being done to ensure improvements are effective,” the statement said.
The notice concluded: “The City of Bulawayo sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience caused and every effort is being made to stabilize the system and improve service delivery while maintaining compliance with regulatory and operational standards.”
