Bulawayo residents say they are hopeful that water supplies will improve after a strong rainy season boosted levels in the city’s dams.
The residents expressed optimism that the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) could ease or end the long-running water rationing system, which has been in place following successive droughts.
Their remarks came after a tour of the city’s supply dams in Matabeleland South on Tuesday. The visit was organised by the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) and attended by representatives from the Ministry of Local Government, civil society groups and community members.
BPRA director Permanent Ngoma said the rise in water levels offered hope to residents who have endured prolonged water shedding.
“We are very happy with what we have seen here. The water levels at the dams are quite promising,” she said. “We are hopeful that in the near future residents will be relieved of the water shedding that has been bedevilling them since the previous drought seasons.”
She noted that Umzingwane Dam, which was decommissioned during the 2022/23 season because of low rainfall, is now about 46% full.
“This is such a relief to the residents of Bulawayo,” she said.
However, Ms Ngoma warned that environmental degradation around the catchment areas could undermine the gains made during the rainy season.
“At Upper Ncema, the situation is dire because of illegal gold mining activities,” she said. “As residents, we need to partner with the local authority and lobby government to take immediate action against mining operations happening in the dams’ catchment areas.”
Women’s rights activist Jacqueline Ndlovu said improved water levels would bring relief to women, who are often most affected by shortages.
“We are delighted that the water level has improved. This will be a welcome relief for women, who are the primary caregivers and have been bearing the brunt of water shortages,” she said.
She urged the council to act swiftly on water rationing and called on the government to address illegal mining near the dams.
“All we need is support that will help improve the water situation so that residents can have adequate water at all times,” she said.
BPRA chairperson Stevenson Nkomo said the tour had helped residents better understand the state of the dams and the challenges affecting supply.
“What we saw during the tour is quite satisfactory and tallies with the reports we have been receiving from the council and the media,” he said. “Even with a good rainy season, our dam levels remain relatively low due to illegal mining activities.”
He added that while the group had hoped to inspect all supply dams, particularly those affected by large-scale mining, the visit had provided a clearer picture of the situation on the ground.