The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has indicated that the increased raw water supply from the proposed Glassblock Bopoma Dam will result in a US$0.16 increase in water consumption charges, raising rates from the current US$1.22 to US$1.38 per cubic meter.
The dam is seen as a medium-term solution to the city’s persistent water crisis.
Speaking at a stakeholder meeting held at the Large City Hall, BCC Chamber Secretary Sikhangele Zhou noted the urgency of addressing the city’s water shortages and identified the dam as the most viable option.
“As a city, we urgently need a solution to improve access to raw water and supply adequate water to residents. While the dam will result in a tariff increase of US$0.16, it remains the best option available to us,” Zhou stated.
On this topic
She was responding to stakeholders who questioned whether alternative options had been considered by the council.
According to the agreement between the contractor and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), the dam is expected to take three to four years to complete, with repayment for the project commencing only once the dam is operational.
“The repayment plan proposed by the contractor’s finance department states that from years four to 14, we will pay US$0.90 per cubic meter. From years 15 to 25, the rate will decrease to US$0.70 per cubic meter,” Zhou explained.
She noted that while the terms could change due to unforeseen circumstances, this was the current agreement in place.
One stakeholder, Siphathisiwe Zulu, raised concerns about the city’s capacity to treat the increased volume of water, referencing recent reports of contaminated water.
“Will the city be able to treat large quantities of water for consumption? Currently, we face limited raw water supplies, and the water we consume is reportedly contaminated. How prepared is the council to manage larger volumes while ensuring the water remains safe?” Zulu asked.
Zhou assured stakeholders that the city has adequate resources and chemicals for water treatment, guaranteeing the provision of clean and safe water.
“The council is committed to ensuring that all residents have access to water that is safe for consumption. Necessary resources for water treatment will be in place,” she said.
Leave a Reply