Minister Bimha
Government says it will establish a national authority charged with purchasing water purification chemicals on behalf of all local authorities in an effort to reduce the cost of water.
At present, each local authority buys its own water purification chemicals, but due to the high costs of the chemicals, some councils have been pumping unclean water to residents.
The City of Harare spends over $3 million per month on nine water treatment chemicals but the quality of tap water is poor.
Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha said water was a crucial component in industrial operations and in society hence Cabinet had decided to make water more affordable.
“In order to reduce the costs related to water, Cabinet has agreed that in order to enjoy economies of scale, water treating chemicals should be bought in bulk by a single national authority on behalf of all local authorities and Zinwa,” he said.
He, however, did not reveal when the authority would be in place.
Minister Bimha said Cabinet had also agreed that fixed water charges, charged by local authorities should be reviewed downwards in line with levels charged in the region.
The need to review downwards water charges was made after realisation that the fixed water charge was being used as a means to raise revenue as opposed to it being an infrastructure maintenance charge.
Over the years, major cities in Zimbabwe including Harare, Bulawayo and Gweru have been facing perennial water shortages which have been attributed to the increasing demand in the cities, poor water infrastructure and shortage of water treatment chemicals. – New Ziana.