Prince Edward plant shutdown sparks health concerns amid worsening Harare water crisis

By Staff Reporter

HARARE– Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA), has raised concerns about a looming humanitarian disaster induced by severe water shortages following Harare City’s decommissioning of the Prince Edward water purification plant.

Last weekend, Harare City Council (HCC), announced the temporary shutdown of the Prince Edward plant, citing the depletion of the two primary dams, Harava and Seke, which supply water to the facility.

“We can no longer draw water from the two dams.

“Prince Edward will only be recommissioned when the two days fill up most likely during the coming rainy reason.

“Areas that are likely to be affected include, among others, Chitungwiza, Hatfield, Airport, Waterfalls and Msasa,” read the HCC statement.

CHRA in response, has criticized HCC’s handling of the water crisis,calling for an urgent contingency plan to address the worsening water shortages.

“The stoppage of water production, which was at 350 megaliters per day, has resulted in a daily loss of 70-80 megaliters of water.

“This has increased the water supply deficit in the city and worsened the ongoing water crisis, impacting the residents of Harare and Chitungwiza.

“We reiterate that the lack of raw water in the Seke and Harava dams due to the El Nino-induced drought is a reality of the impact and effects of climate change which require inclusive climate action and disaster risk reduction planning for resilience building,” reads part of the CHRA statement.

CHRA said the ongoing water crisis has been further exacerbated by unregulated commercial and water abstraction, leading to a decline in the water table and drying up of domestic boreholes.

As Harare residents turn to groundwater as an alternative, CHRA recommended regular testing of borehole water to ensure its quality.

“We are aware that there is a perception among residents that borehole water is pure and clean.

“However, scientific evidence from samples taken in western suburbs has proved that most boreholes are contaminated which calls for end-user water purification methods such as the use of chlorine tablets,” said CHRA.

Additionally, CHRA criticized the ongoing destruction of wetlands due to construction and illegal sand mining activities, which has further intensified the water crisis.

CHRA has also called for a collaborative effort between the City of Harare, the Central Government, and local residents to safeguard these critical ecological areas.

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