THE water situation in Harare is set to improve following
the delivery of 24 tonnes of a water treatment chemical — calcium hypochlorite,
also known as HTH — which was stuck at the border.
City of Harare officials said the chemical had since been
delivered to Morton Jaffray Waterworks.
Yesterday, Acting Secretary for Local Government, Public
Works and National Housing Colonel (Retired) Joseph Mhakayakora said Government
was now working on a lasting solution that would result in a constant supply of
water treatment chemicals.
One of the solutions includes the use of locally-produced
chemicals.
“Harare City Council first received two-and-a-half tonnes
from a local supplier in Bulawayo a day after it switched off its water
treatment plant. It has received an additional 24 tonnes of water treatment
chemicals that will last for two weeks,” he said.
On modalities to ensure constant supplies, Rtd Col
Mhakayakora said City of Harare used to get most of its chemicals from Zimphos,
but the company was faced with a complex situation of manufacturing the
chemicals due to debts, resulting in it failing to continue with supplies.
In a statement, Harare City Council said last week it had
paid $500 000 to Zimphos, $1,2 million and $1 million to Chilmand and KITHRA,
respectively, leaving it with a combined $50 million debt to the three
companies.
City of Harare spokesperson Mr Michael Chideme told The
Herald that they were expecting an equal amount of chemicals next week.
He also said residents should expect a steady improvement
in water supplies.
“We are expecting an equal amount next week while we await
delivery of the chlorine gas. The trucks are still held up at the border. We
are relatively stable with other chemicals as well,” he said.
Mr Chideme added that they had started treating water at
Morton Jaffray Waterworks with most households already receiving supplies
following Government’s intervention.
The latest development comes after Government took over
Morton Jaffray Waterworks to ensure residents accessed potable water after Vice
President Kembo Mohadi facilitated the clearance of water treatment chemicals
at the border while the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) and District
Development Fund (DDF) chipped in with technical assistance.
Earlier this week, Harare City Council shut down the Morton
Jaffray water treatment plant citing shortages of water treatment chemicals and
low water levels in Lake Chivero. Herald
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