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Residents Voices - Issue 82
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA)
August 31, 2012

"BCC not Following Water shedding timetable" - Residents

Residents of Bulawayo have complained that the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) is failing to stick to its water shedding timetable, with some areas experiencing water shedding for periods longer than the 72 hours a week publicised by the local authority. Residents told Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) this morning that there was a need for BCC to stick to its timetable, otherwise residents would end up hoarding large quantities of water, negating efforts to conserve the precious liquid, whose quantities are dwindling in Bulawayo's major supply dams. They alleged that water was not only being turned on late, but was also disconnected earlier than publicised. For instance in Njube suburb, water only came on at 1730 hrs yesterday (Thursday 30 August 2012) when it was supposed to come at 0730 hrs. However, some areas in the suburb still did not have access to water this morning (Friday 31 August 2012), meaning that the residents had been without water since Tuesday morning (72+ hours). This has also been the case in areas such as Luveve, Lobengula and Cowdray Park. In other areas, residents reported that water had been going on and off periodically - coming on for periods of four hours or so, then going off again. These areas include Mzilikazi, Babourfields and Nguboyenja.

BCC has previously said that the time that it takes for water to eventually come out of taps after reopening of water by the authority depends on whether the area is located on high ground or on low ground as gravity has a bearing. Generally low lying areas receive water earlier than areas on high ground due to the force of gravity. Residents have however questioned how this applies to situations whereby water is closed early. There have thus been calls for BCC to adhere to its timetable and explain to residents why they are experiencing water shedding for longer periods than stipulated in the timetable. BPRA has also called upon the local authority to provide alternative sources of water such as bowsers, and revamp boreholes to ensure that people have adequate access to water. The association has also noted that there is a need for a strategy to avert outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and typhoid to be put in place parallel to the water shedding programme.

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