Chitungwiza Faces Severe Water Shortage, Parliamentary Report Reveals

A Parliamentary report released this week in Zimbabwe has revealed that Chitungwiza is facing a severe water and sanitation crisis, receiving only 12 megalitres of water daily against a demand of 112.5 megalitres, severely impairing the city's ability to manage its sewer systems and treat wastewater. The report, compiled by the Portfolio Committee on Environment, Climate and Wildlife, detailed that the city's water and sewer infrastructure, originally constructed in the 1970s and 1980s, is now overwhelmed by a population of approximately 750,000. Key findings include the non-functionality of the Zengeza Wastewater Treatment Works since 2007 due to foreign currency shortages and vandalism, leading to other treatment plants operating at a mere 1% to 5% capacity. The crisis is further compounded by Chitungwiza's reliance on Harare for water, resulting in siltation and blockages, and widespread informality, with about 50% of the city classified as informal. An estimated 40,000 illegal structures have been built on protected wetlands, remaining outside the council's billing system, contributing to a low revenue collection rate of 57% and dependence on delayed devolution funds. To address this, the Committee recommended that the Government facilitate the incorporation of surrounding farms and areas, including Nyatsime, Imbwa, Chikwanha, Tantallion, Edinburgh, and Manyere, by December 31, 2027, to resettle families from wetlands.