The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) is working on replacing dilapidated water pumps at its waterworks as part of efforts to improve water supply to the city.
The Mayor Councillor Solomon Nguni said the council will work on replacing electromechanical equipment at Ncema and Fernhill pump stations.
Cllr Mguni also announced that the council will focus on finalising the Bulawayo Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Projects (BWSSIP).
“In 2019, the city faced numerous challenges with pump breakdowns due to old age and power surges thereby affecting water supply. In our bid to provide quality services, we will be installing new electromechanical equipment at Ncema and Fernhill pump stations which will see to the installation of new pumps for the raw water supply line at both stations,” said the mayor.
Bulawayo Mayor Councillor Solomon Mguni
“The new pumps will ensure reliability in the water supply system, improve efficiency and will utilise the SCADA technology that allows for remote management of the systems. We will also attend to the protection of the equipment through the installation of new circuit breakers that will safeguard the equipment against power surges.”
Cllr Mguni also revealed that the local authority will replace 18 000 non-functioning water meters.
“We look forward to the finalisation of the BWSSIP which will see the upgrading and renewal of water pipes in the city’s wards as well as replacement of 18,000 non-functional water meters in the Magwegwe and Criterion reservoir zones,” he said.
“We also anticipate the reduction of sewer faults through the rehabilitation of the Southern Areas Sewer Treatment (SAST) plant as well as the attendance to hotspots and rehabilitation of sewer outfalls in the SAST catchment and in Cowdray Park with particular focus to Cowdray Park Hlalani Kuhle area.”
The mayor encouraged residents of Bulawayo to desist from vandalizing sewer networks as vandalism continues to affect residents and cause environmental pollution.
