Acute water shortage hits Masvingo

RESIDENTS of Masvingo are now sitting on a ticking time bomb, amid reports that water levels at the city’s main supply dam, Lake Mutirikwi, have plummeted to 7,6%.

By Tatenda Chitagu

Already, most suburbs in the city have gone without water for the past two days, leaving people susceptible to a cholera outbreak reminiscent of the 2007-2008 epidemic, which claimed over 400 lives countrywide.

Masvingo mayor, Hubert Fidze yesterday said the local authority was already in panic mode, as there were no alternative water sources for the city’s 150 000 residents.

“Masvingo residents, I come to you with some sad news about the continuous dwindling of water levels in our sole supplier of raw water, which is Lake Mutirikwi. The water level is now sitting at 7,6%, which now leaves us with only about 2,5% of water for our local consumption,” he said on his Facebook page, urging residents to use the remaining water sparingly.

“We will not be able to draw water from the lake once it reaches the 5% point. The water is then reserved for aquatic creatures in the lake.

“My special appeal to you is to use and conserve water wisely. Our prayer is that we receive good rains within the next few coming days, otherwise we shall be forced to enforce further stringent conditions on water
rationing.

“Think life, think water, conserve water. Meanwhile, our water is just as clean and sweet as you have always enjoyed it.”