Water shortages hit Chiwaridzo… as Harare Report Cholera Cases

Water shortage is common in almost every urban community across the world. While governments and their town councils work tirelessly to bring the special liquid efficiently to the masses, it has been a tough hurdle for them to overcome.

This has been due to the ever-increasing populations in these towns and cities. With rural to urban migration at its highest the water demand is also high.

Some communities are ending up resorting to open wells as their sources of water. The shortage at the same time is a bargaining chance for bulk water suppliers who then capitalise on the shortages and distribute the precious liquid for a price.

In areas like Chiwaridzo, Phase 2 and Garikai suburbs of Bindura, this has been their way of life for nearly two years now. Households are being forced, by the situation, to dig their wells at their small high-density stands, for the resource.

According to Councillor Edward Nyekete the area councillor, “for nearly a year and some months, residents in Ward 12 have not seen a drop of water from their indoor taps.”

“My mission as of now is to push for water supplies to the community. We shall be drilling boreholes to supplement council water but, we are also saying if individuals or corporates are willing to help us access water, come on board and help our community,” said Nyekete.

He said he is scared that, with the shortage of water and some reported cases of Cholera across the country, Cholera might strike the Ward.

Water shortages necessitate Cholera manifestations due to poor hygiene practices. Water must be readily available in urban communities due to their toilet system and for other hygiene purposes in general. The unavailability of water promotes open defecation which then leads to diseases like Cholera and Dysentery as well as Diarhorea.  

In recent years, Bindura Municipality’s water supply has been a bit compromised. Households could hardly water their gardens to their satisfaction.

Town Clerk Evelyn Madziire said they had experienced a heavy leakage on one of their big pipes from the reservoir but, have since repaired it.

The unavailability of water persists to date.