The City of Kadoma has issued a formal public warning advising residents to be cautious when using borehole water, as authorities intensify efforts to safeguard the public from potential waterborne diseases. The advisory comes at a time when persistent challenges with municipal water delivery have led many households to depend on private boreholes as their primary source of water.
Speaking during a recent media briefing, Mayor Nigel Ruzario said the warning is a precautionary measure prompted by growing concerns over the safety of borehole water, especially in densely populated areas where boreholes are being drilled on small residential plots.
“This alert is not to alarm residents, but to protect them,” Mayor Ruzario said. “Due to ongoing challenges in municipal water provision, many residents have been forced to drill boreholes for their daily water needs. However, not all of these boreholes are necessarily safe, especially when they are constructed on small stands where risks of contamination are higher.”
According to urban planning standards, boreholes are ideally recommended for properties that are at least 2,000 square metres in size. However, in Kadoma’s high-density suburbs, where plots are often as small as 200 square metres, residents have increasingly installed boreholes due to unreliable council water supplies.
Kadoma City Issues Public Alert Over Borehole Water Safety Amid Municipal Water Challenges
“These small stands are often surrounded by pit latrines and soakaways,” the mayor explained. “This increases the risk of cross-contamination, especially if boreholes are not drilled deep enough or maintained properly. That’s why we are urging everyone to have their borehole water tested to ensure it is free from bacteria, nitrates, and other harmful pollutants.”
The mayor’s remarks reflect growing public health concerns, especially in the wake of rising cases of waterborne diseases such as typhoid and dysentery in various parts of the country. Health experts warn that untested groundwater, particularly in urban settings with poor sanitation infrastructure, can become a silent hazard.
Mayor Ruzario stressed that while boreholes have become a vital lifeline for Kadoma residents, there must be a shared responsibility in ensuring water safety.
“We appreciate that many residents had no choice but to resort to boreholes. However, we must now focus on making sure that the water we are consuming is not putting our families at risk,” he said. “We are therefore appealing to every household with a borehole to arrange for proper water testing, either through private labs or in coordination with the local authority.”
In response to the growing reliance on borehole water, the city is working with public health officials to roll out an awareness campaign aimed at educating residents about the risks of consuming untreated groundwater. Leaflets, radio messages, and community workshops are among the tools being used to spread the message about hygiene, safe water storage, and the importance of regular testing.
The municipality is also exploring the possibility of partnering with local laboratories and non-governmental organisations to provide affordable water quality testing services, particularly in high-risk areas. Officials say the long-term plan includes revisiting the city’s water infrastructure to improve the reach and reliability of municipal water services.
Kadoma’s water supply woes are part of a broader national crisis affecting many urban centres across Zimbabwe. Ageing infrastructure, power outages, and rapid urbanisation have all contributed to erratic water delivery in recent years. For Kadoma, the result has been a sharp rise in private borehole installations, sometimes without adequate oversight or regulation.
Public health practitioners have welcomed the city’s proactive approach, urging residents to heed the warnings and prioritise their health. Dr. Constance Manyika, a Harare-based environmental health expert, said the Kadoma alert should serve as a reminder to all urban communities to treat water safety as a critical health issue.
“Clean water is the foundation of public health. The invisible dangers that come with untested borehole water cannot be ignored,” she said. “I commend Kadoma city officials for raising the alarm and encouraging action before a crisis unfolds.”
As Kadoma navigates its ongoing water challenges, Mayor Ruzario concluded with a call for unity and vigilance.
“Water is life, and safe water is a right for all,” he said. “Let us work together as a city to protect this vital, resource and the health of every resident who depends on it.”
The city council has promised to keep residents informed and to continue advocating for long-term solutions that will ensure a sustainable and safe water supply for all.
Source- Bulawayo24
