Suburban
Peter Tanyanyiwa Suburban Reporter
PARTS of Ward 18 have started receiving council tap water after going for more than two decades without supplies.
The City of Harare confirmed on Thursday that some Ward 18 suburbs had started receiving water this week.
In an interview on Thursday, Ward 18 Councillor Ian Makone confirmed that residents of Glen Lorne and Greystone Park had started receiving water. He however highlighted that they were still facing challenges as water supply was being disrupted along the supply line.
“Issues of water have been affected by disruptions in supply lines and pumping to the main reservoirs of Greendale, Kambanji and Borrowdale. On the brighter side the pipes and pumps have now been fixed. It will take time restore water levels in the tanks, followed by release of water to residents. It is however refreshing to confirm that water has started flowing into parts of Glen Lorne and Greystone Park. Lower lying houses should get some water and progressively by Monday and Tuesday,” he said.
Asked if Borrowdale’s water problems were finally over, the councillor said that the City of Harare is going through many challenges and there are no guarantees for water supply. He said residents should expect water pipe bursts as the pressure increases, considering the water pipes are old and dilapidated.
“There is no such thing as ‘fixed for good’ at this stage in our city. The water and roads infrastructure are more than 50 years old. Some areas have not had water for more than 20 years. Replacement of infrastructure cannot be funded from the rates bill but from the Public Sector Investment Programme. Water pipes will burst each time pumping pressure is raised to push water to high altitudes like in Folyon in Glen Lorne. What we are doing are quick fixes to reduce water loss and not long long-term solutions,” said Cllr Makone.
