It is difficult for residents of informal settlements to follow guidelines to prevent Covid-19 transmission, such as hand-washing, in the absence of access to water. It is governments’ responsibility to provide these basic services. (Lucky Tshuma)
Environmentalists fear that persistent water shortages in the country's second biggest city over the past two years as a result of declining volumes at its major supply dams could make it a breeding ground for disease, but the city fathers say it is safe for now.
The city has had to decommission its major supply dams as water levels fall to drastic levels.
But in an interview with the Mail & Guardian this week, Bulawayo's mayor, Martin Moyo, said the city council was able to manage with the available water, ruling out the threat of disease.
"At the moment, we are managing the water situation. There was a cholera threat owing to exposed sewers, but we are alert and our circumstances are different to those of Harare," said Moyo.
"Dam volume is the only worry, but for now, we are able to deliver clean water to residents. It is prudent that we continue with water shedding until such time as we receive good rainfall."
Last year, Bulawayo made headlines by asking its residents to flush their toilets simultaneously twice a week in a campaign dubbed "the big flush" to free up sewers clogged by the rationing.
Water cuts remain in place
Though residents were allowed to flush at other times, water was rarely available. The campaign highlighted the severity of the water crisis in the city, which was on a four-day cycle of water cuts.
This year, although the water cuts remain in place, their duration has been relaxed.
In October, the city council announced a reduction in water rationing from three days a week to two days, following a directive from the minister of environment, water and climate change, Saviour Kasukuwere, who said the water supply from Mtshabezi dam had improved.
Moyo said the residents had so far been able to conserve water, and if the situation prevailed, the council could scrap rationing.
Water experts say the city's answer lies in its ability to draw water through an underground pipeline from the Zambezi River, which is about 450km north-west of the city.
That idea, the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project or the Zambezi Water Pipeline Project, has been on the cards since 1912.
Council still keen on the Zambezi project
Estimated to cost $500-million, successive councils have failed to take the idea past planning stage.
Moyo said his council remained keen to implement the Zambezi project, but was looking at short-term solutions to the water shortages.
"The Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project remains a government project which the city is interested in as it will provide a long-term solution.
"In the meantime, as we don't know when it will be completed, we are looking for short-term solutions, which include an additional pipeline from Mzingwane to Ncema and servicing the aquifers at Nyamandlovu."