By Correspondent
In a bid to comply with a High Court order the Harare Water Department has increased water coverage to areas that have not received water for more than 10 years.
The development has been welcomed by Mabvuku and Tafara residents who are now receiving water for two days in three consecutive weeks.
In a statement the City of Harare said the “supply of municipal piped water has managed to decongest most community boreholes and people accessing water from mobile water bowsers which are potential areas of the spread of COVID 19 virus”.
A Ward 19 resident Ms Hanyani said “At least there is some change now some parts of Mabvuku are now receiving water two days from Sunday to Monday but we also expect Council to make extra efforts to make sure that water reaches Mushandike and Kugarika Kushinga area”.
Another Tafara Resident stated “at least now we have a reason to pay our rates this is better.”
Speaking on the matter the Harare Water Distribution Manager, Engineer Chinyanya said, “As Harare Water we are sticking to water rationing plan of late we have been trying it but there are some take off which were happening as some areas have been receiving water consistently at the expense of others but currently we are managing it to make sure some dry areas received water too.”
The Combined Harare Residents Association hailed the City’s efforts of equitably sharing the water asit goes a long way in ensuring house hold hygiene especially during the COVID era.
However, CHRA is calling on the local authority to improve its water supply coverage to other remaining areas of Harare and work on its billing on water as it has serious potential of soiling these positive developments. (CHRA)
Mabvuku and Tafara has experienced water challenges for several years owing to old pipes and steep gradient, making it difficult for water to be pumped to the area.
Residents interviewed said despite unavailability of tap water, they still received bills from the City Council.
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