EnviroPress Reporter
City of Mutare has warned that the perennial Pungwe River, which supplies 56 percent of water to the eastern border town, is drying up at an alarming rate due to the effects of climate changed including the prevailing El Niño-induced drought.
The river is the lifeline for the city’s over 260 000 residents, but it has been steadily drying up over the past few years. The city’s water supply is now under severe threat and residents may face the possibility of water rationing and having dry taps for prolonged periods.
City of Mutare gets water from three main sources; Small Bridge Dam, Odzani River, and Pungwe River (pictured).
Addressing stakeholders who attended the Climate Resilient Water Supply and Sanitation Safety Plan workshop in the city recently, City of Mutare Deputy Director for Water and Sanitation, Mercy Ncube said the flow of Pungwe River was changing for the worse.
“Being a shared water course for Mozambique and Zimbabwe, Pungwe River is supposed to be a perennial river. However, we have a certain percentage we are supposed to abstract which is 700 litres per second, and this contributes about 56 percent of the total water supply coming into the city.
“The levels have actually gone low mainly due to effects of El Niño. We have not had some good rains for the past two years hence the steady depletion,” said Ncube.
As part of mitigation measures, she said, the local authority was exploring alternative water sources including boreholes and water recycling.
“The city is looking at addressing the challenge of water scarcity through boreholes. Currently, council is conducting awareness campaigns on water conservation. We also get water from Lake Alexander which is around 50 percent full,” said Ncube, adding that improved rainfall predicted for the 2024/2025 rainy season would make things better.
City of Mutare Acting Finance Director Reuben Guni, who represented the Acting Town Clerk Blessing Chafesuka, said climate change was a factor in the reduction of water supplies to the city’s residents.
“The precious resource is becoming scarce, and our infrastructure is becoming vulnerable to cyclones and storms. Our responsibility is not only to provide water but ensure that our systems are resilient enough to withstand these emergency challenges,” said Guni.
He said the local authority endeavored to build a climate resilient water supply for the benefit of residents.
Meanwhile, City of Mutare has proposed a Climate Resilient Water Supply and Sanitation Safety Plan for the period 2025-2075 which details that measures that the council will take to adapt to the worst effects of climate change induced water shortages. – Mid-Week Watch
