Faced with chronic water shortages that have long plagued its residents, the City of Bulawayo is accelerating plans to tap into the Umganin aquifer to stabilise its precarious water supply.
The initiative follows a comprehensive groundwater survey conducted under the WaterWorX-WS2 Project, which targeted the high-density suburbs of Nkulumane, Nketa, and Emganwini.
These areas were selected for study because they currently host the highest density of boreholes in the city, leading experts to investigate the broader "Umganin Aquifer" zone to determine if it can reliably augment the municipal grid.
The survey report, recently received by city officials, highlights a "good potential" for groundwater extraction, with several areas classified as "excellent zones."
According to the technical data, the proximity to the aquifers ensures a high water yield, provided that boreholes reach a minimum depth of 50 metres.
This discovery comes at a critical time for Zimbabwe's second-largest city.
Bulawayo currently relies on its six supply dams and supplemental water drawn from the Nyamandlovu aquifer to meet daily demand.
The exploration of the Umganin site represents a strategic move to diversify these sources and reduce dependence on rain-fed reservoirs.
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The project is set to enter its next phase soon, which will involve the drilling of additional boreholes based on the survey’s findings.
Following the drilling, the city plans to determine borehole capacity and design a dedicated water treatment plant to pump the groundwater directly into the main municipal system.
Beyond groundwater, the city is also pursuing a public-private partnership (PPP) to explore the recycling of wastewater effluent.
This study includes a technical and financial assessment of modernising wastewater treatment plants and revisiting the historic Khami Dam system, which previously served the city's western suburbs.
The push for alternative water sources has seen significant support from local leadership.
During recent council discussions, councillor Nkosinathi Mpofu urged for continued expert research into aquifer drilling.
Councillor Tinevimbo Maposa further recommended that the city expand its expertise to include the Matopo and How Mine aquifers in future exploration efforts.
As part of a broader modernisation strategy, the city is also evaluating tenders for prepaid and smart water meters to improve management and conservation of its remaining reserves.
While a recent tender for the refurbishment of the Insiza pipeline failed, officials expect to re-advertise the project in the second quarter of the year to ensure the city's infrastructure can handle the integrated flow from both dams and new underground sources.
