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Harare runs out of water chemical
The Herald
April 06, 2005

http://www.herald.co.zw/index.php?id=42261&pubdate=2005-04-06

HARARE City Council has run out of oxidising agent — Ecol 2000 — hardly a few weeks after awarding the tender to supply the chemical to Highdon Investments under controversial circumstances.

Ecol 2000 is used to destroy algae (chlorophyll-containing organisms) which clog filters at Morton Jaffray Water Treatment Plant and they also remove odours from the water.

Algae grow extensively in Lake Chivero and if the chemical is not used, a lot of treated water would be wasted in cleaning up the sieves. The chemical also removes odours from the water.

The tender to supply the chemical is worth several billions of dollars per month.

Awarding of the tender was heavily disputed after first choice winner MT&N lost the bid in as yet unclear circumstances.

Director of Works, Mr Psychology Chiwanga yesterday confirmed that the city had run out of the chemical.

"Yes there are no oxidising agents. The supplier did not deliver. It is true at the moment we have nothing. We are making frantic efforts to get the supplier to deliver," said Mr Chiwanga.

"Our filters are clogging and we are having to use treated water to clean up. This will reduce our water output to residents," he said.

Harare Commission spokesman Mr Lesley Gwindi said the city was awaiting deliveries from the supplier (Highdon) whose consignment is at the Beitbridge Border Post awaiting the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority clearance.

"There is some coming. At the moment we are transferring reserves in the old works to the new works," he said.

A spokesperson for Highdon Investments confirmed that the company delivery trucks were on their way from South Africa and were expected in Harare today.

Reports indicate that the losing tenderer MT&N has stocks of the chemical in the country but because council awarded the tender to Highdon Investments it can not buy from MT&N.

MT&N Distributors last month lost an urgent application with the High Court that sought the nullification of the tender awarded to Highdon Investments Private Ltd for the supply of the chemicals.

In his ruling, Justice Tedias Karwi dismissed with costs the application by MT&N Distributors.

MT&N had in its application, sought an interim order barring the commission running the affairs of Harare from granting the contract for the supply of oxidising agents to any person or supplier other than itself.

The commission procurement committee, during its meeting on February 7 awarded the contract to MT&N because its price of $19 320 for a kilogramme of the chemical was lower than Highdon Investments’ $25 254 for the same quantity.

But that decision was rescinded during a full commission meeting on March 10 with the commission arguing that MT&N had failed to produce certificates of approval from recognised organisations for the chemical. Yesterday’s water status report indicated that most of the water reservoirs were low. The low volumes were attributed to the current dry spell which has increased demand for water.

"The northern areas of Hatcliffe, Hogerty Hill, Philadelphia, Borrowdale Brook as well eastern areas of Mabvuku and Tafara are currently facing water shortages due to low reservoir levels," said Mr Chiwanga.

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