THE Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) has drilled 77 boreholes around the country to assist in alleviating the water and sanitation situation of communities as part of the ongoing fight against the raging cholera outbreak.
Zinwa head of marketing and communications Majorie Munyonga yesterday said drilling of more boreholes was underway across the country with at least 140 having already been surveyed and ready for drilling.
She said the boreholes were being drilled at institutions such as clinics, hospitals, schools and villages in cholera hotspots including Harare, Glendale and Mapanza in Chiredzi, and were being equipped with solar systems and bush pumps.
“Of these boreholes, 38 have been drilled in Harare, 33 in Manicaland, three in Mashonaland West and two in Masvingo. In Makonde district boreholes were drilled and equipped in Masoja, Dambarare and Kadyamatamba villages.
“Zinwa is also ensuring that there are minimal water supply disruptions in the areas it supplies potable water by ensuring that all water supply stations are adequately stocked with at least three months’ supply of water treatment chemicals,” she said.
Zinwa has also strengthened its water quality assurance function, ensuring that all treated water is subjected to frequent and rigorous tests at various points of production and distribution, while it is also reducing its response time to breakdowns, she said. Munyonga said Zinwa is also stockpiling critical plant spares to help reduce stations’ downtime while its catchment and service centre offices are also working closely with other government agencies and arms in the fight against cholera at provincial and district levels. — New Ziana
