Bulawayo residents have called on the local authority to prioritise fixing ageing water infrastructure and curb losses from leakages, warning that improved dam levels alone will not resolve the city’s persistent water crisis.
While recent rains have boosted supply dams and raised optimism, households across several suburbs say water shedding continues to disrupt daily life, exposing deeper structural challenges within the city’s water system.
The Bulawayo United Residents Association (BURA) says the gains recorded in dam levels should not overshadow long-standing issues such as deteriorating pipes and significant water losses through leaks.
BURA chairperson Winos Dube acknowledged the positive impact of the rains but stressed that residents remain cautious.
“We are grateful for the inflows into the dams, but that alone is not enough,” Dube said.
“What we need now is for the local authority to urgently address infrastructure problems that are causing water losses and unreliable supply.”
According to the latest municipal update, Bulawayo’s six supply dams have recorded their highest inflows in five years, with combined levels reaching 414,6 million cubic metres. Average dam capacity now stands at 63,65%, a notable increase from 49,77% during the same period last year.
Despite this, water shedding remains in place, with some suburbs still experiencing prolonged dry spells due to what residents describe as failing infrastructure.
Dube said ageing pipes and persistent leakages are undermining the benefits of improved water supply.
“A lot of water is being lost through leakages, and some of the infrastructure is no longer in good condition,” he said.
“Authorities must act swiftly to repair and upgrade these systems so that residents can actually benefit from the available water.”
Residents argue that without addressing these inefficiencies, the city risks continuing a cycle where improved water availability does not translate into reliable access at household level.
“There is no point in celebrating full dams when water is not reaching people’s homes,” Dube added.
In addition to infrastructure concerns, residents have also raised issues around water quality, calling on the city council to ensure that water supplied is clean and safe for consumption.
Dube emphasised that both authorities and residents have a shared responsibility, urging the public to use water sparingly while calling on officials to fix what is within their control.
“We all have a role to play, but the city must lead by ensuring the system is functioning properly,” he said.
For many residents, relief will only come when water shedding is completely lifted and infrastructure challenges are addressed.
“Our excitement will only come when water shedding has been totally removed, and that will only happen when these underlying issues are fixed,” Dube said.