The development, which follows dwindling water levels, is a major blow to the council, which earlier this year installed state-of-the-art pumping equipment at a cost of $2million in anticipation of improved smooth supplies to the city.
The German Society for International Cooperation also spent millions of dollars trying to improve the pumping system at the dam. GIZ is an international enterprise owned by the German Federal Government.
Johns Nathambwe, the city’s Engineer said: “Next week we will be officially de-commissioning Gwenoro dam. We have no other option because the water capacity there is about two percent,” he said. “Amapongogwe dam will take over from Gwenoro. The dam is at 43 percent capacity and can last us until August next year if all water consumers use the liquid sparingly.”
He blamed excessive water usage by residents as having contributed to the dryness of Gwenoro dam.
“Residents were supposed to be using a monthly amount of 20,000 cubic litres but unfortunately the consumption shot up to 34,000 cubic meters. That contributed to the running dry of Gwenoro and so in future we want to encourage residents to use water sparingly.
Last week the city’s Assistant Town Clerk, Tapiwa Marerwa, told The Zimbabwean that the council was also planning to sink 36 boreholes in order to counter possible water shortages after the decommissioning of Gwenoro dam.
Post published in: News
Mr Nathambwe,please do not lie to the community ? The shortage of water is simply attributed to the increase in consumers versas neglected source development. Nothing has been done to augment the source of water for Gweru for the past 25 years, yet you are an Engineer who is supposed to be advising the Council of the need to construct more dams and upgrade the existing. A lot of new suburbs are being constructed, which is a good thing for the city, but where do you expect the same people to get the water if you are not taking any action on the development of the source ??????? Mr Engineer give us some seriousness
I thought Gwenhoro supplied Shurugwi with water. so now it is supplying Gweru also?? Brenna Matendere did not write which town/city is serviced by this dam in his story.
where is that dam reporter
Gwenhoro dam is the main water source for Gwer with Amapongogwe Dam, Ngamo Dam and White waters contributing as well. It is located about 40km to the south of Gweru via Southdowns