Bulawayo residents urged to report sewer bursts as ageing infrastructure strains system

The Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) has urged residents to report sewer bursts promptly and observe good hygiene as the city continues to battle recurring sewage overflows blamed on ageing infrastructure.

The appeal comes as Bulawayo struggles with frequent sewer blockages and bursts in several suburbs, with residents raising concerns about raw sewage flowing into streets and exposing communities to health and environmental risks.

The city’s ageing sewer network has become an increasing concern amid funding constraints. The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) recently said it needs about US$400 million to rehabilitate and modernise its ageing water and sewer infrastructure.

BPRA secretary for environment Khetiwe Tshuma said the association works closely with the council to report faults while encouraging residents to play their part in protecting the environment.

“As BPRA we constantly liaise with the BCC to ensure that all faults are attended on time. We also carry out awareness programmes with residents on maintaining sanitation within our communities and encourage them to play their part in keeping neighbourhoods clean,” Tshuma told CITE.

She said residents could help reduce the impact of sewer problems by reporting faults quickly, although the underlying cause remained the deteriorating sewer network.

“The main challenge is with BCC, which apparently has a shortage of resources to renew the old infrastructure. Most of these blockages are due to aging infrastructure, and until comprehensive rehabilitation is undertaken, these problems are likely to persist,” she said.

Tshuma urged residents to take precautions whenever sewer bursts occur to reduce the risk of disease.

“As BPRA we encourage residents to immediately report any sewer burst that occurs. We also encourage residents to boil their water and try to maintain good hygiene during such periods to reduce the risk of waterborne diseases,” she said.

Bulawayo has experienced repeated sewer overflows in recent years as ageing pipes and limited funding have hampered efforts to upgrade the city’s wastewater infrastructure. Health experts warn that untreated sewage can contaminate water sources and increase the risk of diseases such as cholera and typhoid, particularly during periods of poor sanitation.