Mutirikwi dam level rises to 38pc
GODFREY MTIMBA • 25 MARCH 2014 9:11AM • 1 COMMENT
MASVINGO – The recent heavy rains received in Masvingo Province have raised water levels in Lake Mutirikwi to only 38 percent.
While most of the dams around the province have recorded over 100 percent, the Zimbabwe National Water Authority’s (Zinwa) Runde Catchment Authority, said the dam has risen to 1,3 million cubic meters, translating to 38,97 percent. Masvingo city fathers were praying that the dam would be filled to capacity, following the above normal rainfall received in the province, which has caused floods in some districts.
Hubert Fidze, the Masvingo mayor, said council was worried about the dam’s level in the wake of the rains.
“We were praying that the dam would be full by now as our province this year received extremely good rains,” Fidze said. “But the dam is struggling to fill up and this could mean challenges to our water supply in the long run. We are however, lucky that most of the dams which supplement Mutirikwi in times of need are over 100 percent full so the water challenges will ease.”
Fidze assured residents that the water supply remain stable but expressed concern over pumping challenges, saying the pumps were now old and worn out.
“We still face challenges of our ageing water pump station,” he said. “The machines and pumps are now outdated and worn out and can no longer supply the city well. We hope that the situation will improve when we complete the ongoing water augmentation project of constructing new pump stations.”
The city council is struggling to raise about $48 million to complete the water project.
Mutirikwi dam nearly dried up last December, reaching all time low levels of six percent.
Other dams in Masvingo’s Runde catchment area are over 100 percent full and include Bangala Dam in Zaka with 102,51 percent, Manjirenji dam at 101,5 percent, while Nyajena dam in Masvingo south is currently at 107,95 percent. Muzhwi dam in Mashava is at 104,23 percent, Tokwane dam in Chivi is at 108,14 percent and Ruti dam in Gutu is at 102,32 percent.