Masvingo runs dry

News
THE whole of Masvingo city went through the weekend without water due to what council said was maintenance work at the Bushmead Pumping Station, leaving residents staring at the prospects of a resurgent cholera outbreak.

THE whole of Masvingo city went through the weekend without water due to what council said was maintenance work at the Bushmead Pumping Station, leaving residents staring at the prospects of a resurgent cholera outbreak.

TATENDA CHITAGU OWN CORRESPONDENT

Long snaking queues formed in the city as residents jostled to get the precious liquid at the few boreholes drilled by non-governmental organisations at nutrition gardens.

The local authority has now put up a notice informing residents that the planned water cuts would be for two consecutive days twice in a fortnight to enable maintenance work at the pumping station.

“The City of Masvingo wishes to advise residents that there will be planned shutdown of Bushmead Water Treatment Works on Saturday 4th and Sunday 6th July 2014; Friday 11th and Saturday 12th July 2014 to facilitate the installation of critical electrical components.

“Residents are therefore urged to store enough water to meet their needs for the period,” town clerk Adolph Gusha said in the notice.

The Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers’ Association said while the motive of the council might be noble, it was the way it handled the maintenance work that left a lot to be desired.