BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) is set to engage uMguza Rural District Council to connect the Inhliziyo and Emthunzini townships to the city’s existing water and sewage networks.
This is revealed in the latest BCC’s minutes, with indications that the development would only be done on condition of infrastructure upgrade and upstream development of the water network in order to accommodate improvement and not affect the existing water reticulation system.
The minutes state that the City of Bulawayo was having water supply challenges due to the inconsistent rainfall, resulting in the city adopting water shedding.
“Inhliziyo Township had a total demand of 2,69Ml/day [megalitres per day] and Emthunzini would have a total demand of 4,67Ml/day once fully developed,” they read.
“These demands would be fully realised after a period of five years considering the current rate of developments.
“The two developments once connected and fully developed would have a water demand of 7,36M/day.”
The minutes state that after considering the demand and hydraulic effects on the existing water network if Inhliziyo Township was connected, there would be need to invest in the Inhliziyo Water Mains infrastructure.
“250mm PVC class 12 water pipe with a total length of 2,678km was required to supply development with water ... Installation of bulk meter for the development.”
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On Water Mains at Emthunzini, the council indicated that 160mm PVC class 12 water pipe with a total length of 500metres coupled on the 300mm AC water mains pipe in Pumula South would be required.
It stated that the developer would install a bulk meter and assist with remaining works for the Pumula South DMA chamber.
“Due to the already existing demand on the water mains, the developer would be advised that the water-shedding programme in the city would affect the area like any other suburb in the City of Bulawayo.
“The 250mm water mains would later include the Rangemore Reservoir as part of scope of the supply network which would cater for the rest of Upper and Lower Rangemore area development once the Gwayi Shangani Dam and internal water supply system upgrades and modifications were done.”
The council noted that both developers would contribute to the construction of a 600mm water mains bypass from Plant 2 at Criterion waterworks to link with reservoir compartment 2.
They will also construct a chlorine dosing room and equip it.
The projects need a budget of US$1,3 million, with the works expected to last 60 days.
“Connecting Inhliziyo Township sewer reticulation onto the existing outfall of diameter 900mm that cuts through the development was not a challenge for the stands upstream of the outfall,” the minutes read.
“However, for the stands across Phekiwe River, the sewer design needed to be verified if it was possible to connect the stands using gravity.”
