The move has been necessitated by the fact that the city’s two largest supply dams, Mapongogwe and Gwenhoro, are dangerously low.
“Water rationing shall be effective from March 1. All individually metered houses in the high density area shall be apportioned 500 litres per day. Hotels, hospitals, clinics and guest houses will get 80 percent of water supplies,” reads part of the council’s latest report.
Police stations, army barracks and industries will get 60 percent of average water usage while sites under construction will be each be apportioned 5,000 litres a day.
In order to enforce the measures, there will be a double charge for exceeding the limits.
“As council, we were advised by our experts that if normal supplies are maintained, the major dams will run dry by August. So there was no option but to introduce the water sanctions,” said Mayor Teddious Chimombe. “We are hoping that this month we will have more rain so that normal water provision can be resumed.”
Cornelias Selipiwe, the Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association Chairperson, said he had not been briefed on the latest development.
“They should have consulted us first,” he said.
Fears are high that the latest development might trigger water borne diseases.
Some of the affected residents have begun digging unsafe wells in the Nehosho and Senga areas.
Post published in: News