The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure Farming Reporter —
ZIMBABWE National Water Authority has implored water users across the country to pay their bills and use the precious liquid sparingly as levels in major dams remain stumpy at 38 percent instead of over 60 percent.
In a bid to ameliorate operations like construction of dams and weirs, Zinwa has also launched a blitz to recover $140 million from farmers, domestic water users, councils, schools, business, parastatals and Government departments.
Zinwa Corporate Communications and Marketing Manager, Ms Marjorie Munyonga, painted a gloomy picture of the water situation in the country.
She said their operations were hamstrung by non-payment of water bills.
The disconnections are targeted at clients owing Zinwa in respect of both clear and raw water — except farmers registered under the Command Agriculture, a specialised scheme aimed at improving maize production and enhance food security — who will be expected to pay at the end of the season.
Ms Munyonga urged farmers to “irrigate efficiently” bearing in mind that “no inflows” have been recorded in most of the country’s major dams since the inception of the rainy season in October.
The Annual Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-20), held in Harare, in August 2016 had predicted that Zimbabwe and other SADC countries would receive above normal rains from October to December (OND).
However, the OND period was largely an arid spell during which only a few dams recorded slight increases in water levels.
The nation now pins its hopes on the January to March (JFM) 2017 period.
“The country’s dam levels remain largely depressed despite the recent rains received in some parts of the country. Zinwa appeals to all water users across the country to use the available resource sparingly.
Despite the rains, no inflows have been recorded in most of the country’s major dams, with only a few dams recording slight increases in water levels. The national dam level average currently stands at 37, 7 percent at a time when it is expected to be over 60 percent,” said Mrs Manyonga.
“The national dam level average currently stands at 37, 7 percent at a time when it is expected to be over 60 percent. From the statistics, it is clear that the water situation in the country has not improved yet. Water users should therefore use the available water sparingly.
“Irrigating farmers should ensure that any leakages along the irrigation lines are repaired to avoid water losses.
Canals should also be lined to minimise evaporation. Farmers should also be in possession of water abstraction agreements entered between Zinwa and themselves.
The agreements are a legal requirement and allow Zinwa to properly allocate the available water among users. Users should also practice rainwater harvesting,” said Ms Munyonga.
Zinwa has also embarked on massive water disconnections for clients with water accounts in arrears.
“It will also target water users whose supplies were illegally connected and farmers abstracting raw water without valid water abstraction agreements.
“The exercise has been made necessary by the non-payment of water bills by Zinwa’s various clients who include domestic water users, local authorities, schools, farmers, business, parastatals and Government departments,” said Ms Munyonga.
Ms Munyonga said Zinwa was owed over $141 million, a development that has negatively impacted on its operations.
“Due to this non-payment by clients, Zinwa has not been able to timely procure critical spares for water treatment plants, build stocks of water treatment chemicals, repair and maintain water reticulation and storage infrastructure such as dams,” she said.
Those whose accounts are in arrears are therefore advised to pay up or visit their respective Zinwa offices and present acceptable payment plans.
Those with queries relating to their bills are also advised to visit their nearest Zinwa offices for assistance.
