By Staff Reporter
Harare – Harare residents have expressed outrage at the City of Harare’s decision to implement a two-day water outage without adequate contingency plans.
The shutdown, scheduled for maintenance at the Warren Control Pump Station, has sparked concerns over potential health risks and the city’s ongoing water woes.
“This is not the first time they’ve shut down a major station for maintenance, yet no plans are made to supply water during these periods.
“It has become a culture of neglect,” said Reuben Akili, the director of Combined Harare Residents’ Association (CHRA).
Akili warned that the impending heatwave, coupled with the water shortage, could lead to a public health crisis.
“With the high temperatures brought by an impending heatwave, demand for water will skyrocket.
“Without alternative supplies, residents risk exposure to waterborne diseases. The local authority must treat this as a disaster mitigation issue,” he stressed.
Residents in affected areas, such as Warren Park, shared similar frustrations.
“This has been happening for years,” said Ednar Muchenje.
“We’re forced to rely on unsafe water sources, putting our health at risk.”
Reason Makaza, another resident, added, “The council promises improvements, but things only get worse. We need a reliable water supply, not excuses.”
Harare’s aging water infrastructure, built decades ago, is deteriorating rapidly.
The city loses over 40% of treated water due to leaks and struggles to afford essential chemicals to purify water from polluted sources like Lake Chivero.
Political tensions between the central government and the opposition-led city council have further compounded the water crisis.
Despite a government allocation of US$216 million in 2024 to address water issues, experts caution that systemic reforms and improved cooperation are crucial to resolving the long-standing problem.
