The ManicaPost
Abel Zhakata
Senior Reporter
THIRSTY Dangamvura residents who have been patiently waiting for running tap water for close to two decades will have to wait a little bit longer amid revelations that the 98 percent complete pipeline has leaks.
Mutare Mayor Councillor Sam Chabuka revealed early this week that the local authority conducted pressure tests on the pipeline whereupon the leaks were noted.
“This is a normal water engineering procedure. We did some test runs on the pipeline to see whether everything was functional. Our engineers did some pressure tests along the pipeline up to the Dangamvura Water Reservoirs and some leaks were noted.
“As we speak, our engineers are now busy working on the leakages so that we avail water to the community as soon as possible,” he said.
Clr Chabuka said apart from the leakages, council was awaiting the delivery of some couplings that are needed to join the water pipes.
Couplings are used to connect two or more pipes to maintain continuity between them.
“In the absence of these couplings, we have also tasked our engineers to improvise and design some couplings that will be used to finish the job. This project is long overdue, and over the years council has been giving residents numerous deadlines that were not met. People have gone for more than a decade without water and we don’t want any further delays.
“What I can safely tell you is that we are 98 percent through with this water pipeline and very soon enough water will be availed in Dangamvura,” he said.
Acting Town Clerk, Mr Blessing Chafesuka attributed delays in completing the pipeline to procurement bottlenecks.
“Resources are there, but you don’t just purchase materials. You need to follow procedure, otherwise you will be in trouble with the law. The anti-corruption guys will come knocking on your door if you bend the procedures. We are optimistic that very soon water will be available to the Dangamvura residents,” said Mr Chafesuka.
He said the local authority was seized with the procurement of material to revamp feeder water pipelines in Dangamvura.
“What you must understand is that when we have enough water at the Dangamvura reservoirs, we have to deal with the pressure that will be exerted on feeder smaller pipes in residential areas. Some of the pipes in the residential areas were laid long back, while some of them have been weakened by rust brought about by intermittent water supplies. We will therefore have to deal with the burst water pipes that will follow as the pressure will be high.
“We have since budgeted for this and the procurement process has just begun. In the Area 3 section of the suburb, we need to upgrade the water pipeline that feed the area from the reservoir.
‘‘The piping is small and will not be able to cater for Area 3’s needs. Even if enough water reaches the Dangamvura water tanks, shortages will remain in that area until we upgrade the piping. We have since budgeted for this and the procurement of pipes has begun,” said Mr Chafesuka.
