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Residents opt for sewer water
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
June 14, 2013

Water and sewer reticulation services continue to be a challenge in Harare as many high density areas are still experiencing perennial sewer pipe bursts while water cuts are almost on a daily basis. Harare City Council has failed to renovate dilapidated infrastructure that was installed during the Rhodesian Era. Harare City Council is yet to come up with a clear and acceptable plan that will guarantee residents enough water for both domestic and industrial consumption. It blames Government for unfunded mandates, insufficient funds and late disbursements despite its huge revenue and capital expenditure.

In Mbare, Ward 3, residents are using sewer water for domestic purposes; like washing, cleaning plates and bathing. This comes as a hazard for human health and remains unbearable. A CHRA member, Mrs Tsikira, who stays in Matapi flats said, “There is a perennial sewer water burst between the District Office and block 7 (Matapi flat). The D.O’s office is not taking any action to resolve the issue since January this year.” Residents are taking advantage of this situation simply by fetching the water for their in-house use out of desperation.

In the same area, refuse is not being collected efficiently in Mbare, now there are some dumpsites developing at Stodart Hall, Mbirimi and Daniel Roads. Refuse trucks are also not collecting all the garbage especially between the blocks 4,5,2,3 and 1 of Matapi Flats. This scenario worsens the living environment of residents in Mbare. Refuse is piling up although the City of Harare (COH) has purchased 47 working trucks to improve garbage collection but still it seems as if the trucks are not functional.

Visit the CHRA fact sheet

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