The Sanyati Rural District Council is in the process of upgrading and cleaning water systems and reservoirs for the growth point. Residents have been advised by the council to use borehole water, and promised that things would be back to normal within the month. A notice sent to residents and plastered on building walls at Sanyati growth point by T.Chiore, Acting Township Superintendent for Sanyati, reads: “This serves to inform you that council is in the process of maintaining and cleaning your water reservoirs. We hereby apologise for the poor water quality being supplied to your residence. Please use borehole water for domestic use.”
According to Chikomborero Dhliwayo, Chairman of the recently formed Sanyati Residents Association, the initiative to clean the water tanks was mooted as early as May 2009. He said he was surprised that it was taking so long for the council to provide residents with clean water, despite continuing to levy them. Each household is charged US$2 a month by the council.
Dhliwayo said that only a few taps at Sanyati were functional and providing clean water, the rest were clogged with muddy water from the river. He adds that there was a danger of a fresh cholera outbreak if the situation was not resolved soon.