Bulawayo residents have urged the city council to introduce water recycling systems and alternative conservation measures to strengthen supplies, amid persistent concerns over recurring shortages.
The calls were made on Thursday at a dam tour feedback meeting convened by the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) at Stanley Square Hall.
Residents said the city could ease pressure on its supply dams by investing in wastewater recycling and introducing a dual water system for domestic use.
“We could consider recycling water and installing a dual piping system, with treated water for drinking and recycled water for other uses,” one resident said.
The resident added that Bulawayo was losing potentially usable water due to inadequate harvesting systems and poor drainage infrastructure.
“The city council must find ways of harvesting underground water. Much of the runoff caused by poor drainage could be collected and used for other purposes,” the resident said.
The submissions come as residents continue to endure periodic water shortages and rationing, despite improved dam inflows following a good rainy season.
Some said the council could learn from neighbouring countries that have adopted more efficient water management practices despite operating in arid conditions.
“We should learn from other countries on how they preserve water. Take neighbouring Botswana, it has desert areas, yet we do not hear of challenges like the ones we experience,” another resident said.
Concerns were also raised over treated water lost through burst pipes and ageing infrastructure, with residents calling for urgent rehabilitation of the city’s reticulation system.
“There is also the issue of clean water being lost due to burst pipes. This is something the council must address urgently to preserve water. The local authority needs to respond promptly,” a resident said.
Another blamed the deteriorating state of Bulawayo’s pipes for frequent leaks.
“The pipes here are now dilapidated. I have lived in Bulawayo my whole life. I am 73 years old and I have never seen the council replace the pipes,” the resident said.
“Clearly, they are too old, some were installed even before I was born.”
Residents also called on the council to provide updates on operations at the Nyamandlovu Aquifer, including the number of functional boreholes and the volume of water being pumped into the city system.
Others questioned why surrounding settlements in Umguza continued to rely on Bulawayo’s water supply instead of developing their own dam infrastructure to support the area’s growing population.