Bulawayo Councillors have expressed concern over the availability of adequate water supplies in April when the city is anticipating an influx of people attending national and international events.
The city which is currently experiencing water challenges will host the country`s 40th Independence Day celebrations on April 18 and the annual Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) which will run from April 21 to 25. ย
The two events are likely to attract a lot of human traffic into the city at a time when the city is faced with a water crisis.
Speaking during a full council meeting, Wednesday, Ward 1 Councillor Mlandu Ncube said the government needs to channel funds to the local authority to enable them to offer adequate services during that month.
Future Water Supplies and Water Action committee deputy and Ward 27 Councillor Alderman Siboniso Khumalo assured the councillors that plans are in place to ensure that the city does not run out of water in April.
He said Babourfields Stadium water connection is directly linked to Mpilo Central Hospital which is exempted from water disconnections, and should there be an emergency there shall be bowsers on standby to contain the situation.
Ward 4 Councillor Silas Chigora also reiterated that the city water dam levels remain critically low at 34 percent, a situation which requires that the local authority crafts alternative measures to supply water to residents when current sources cease to sufficiently supply water to the city.
Alderman Khumalo said the city has had several engagements with the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) to ensure that there can be alternative ways for the city to have water.
He added that the committee is also working towards ascertaining that every community has enough boreholes to supply water when the need arises.
