Bulawayo’s ongoing water crisis has escalated to alarming levels, with councillors warning that the situation now threatens not only residents’ daily lives but also the city’s economic prospects and long-term viability.
During a tense full council meeting held on Wednesday at the council chambers, Ward 25 Councillor Aleck Ndlovu described the state of affairs as nothing short of a “life and death” matter. He stressed that the availability—or lack—of water would ultimately determine the future of the city, its people, and its development trajectory.
“This is a life and death matter,” Ndlovu declared. “The availability of water to the residents will determine the future of this city, the very existence of its residents, and the prospects of its development.”
Ndlovu attributed the worsening crisis to a combination of poor rainfall during the last wet season and the city’s ageing, dilapidated water infrastructure. These dual challenges, he argued, are now directly undermining investor confidence in Bulawayo.
“When we talk about attracting investment, water security is one of the first things investors look at,” he said. “We did not have a good rainfall season, and our dams did not fill to optimum levels. On top of that, we are battling with obsolete infrastructure—constant leaks, frequent bursts, and significant losses through non-revenue water. All of these factors are making our situation worse.”
The councillor also expressed frustration at what he described as a lack of urgency in exploring underground water sources. He urged the city to speed up hydrological and geological studies that could identify sustainable alternative supplies.
“We seem to be taking our foot off the pedal when it comes to underground water exploration,” Ndlovu said. “This should be a priority, and we ought to be inviting expressions of interest from specialists who can help us guarantee a constant water supply.”
Ward 5 Councillor Dumisani Nkomo added his voice to the debate, calling for an assessment of Bulawayo’s wastewater treatment capacity and the potential to reuse treated water for industrial, agricultural, or even limited domestic purposes.
“If we can have an update on our wastewater—its current capacities, what’s available, and the potential for reuse—this could provide part of the solution,” Nkomo said.
Ward 3 Councillor Mxolisi Mahlangu raised concerns about the city’s persistent high levels of non-revenue water—estimated between 45% and 48%—caused by leaks, bursts, and theft before water reaches households.
Bulawayo’s Water Crisis Deepens: Councillors Warn of “Life and Death” Situation Threatening City’s Future
“We cannot talk about water augmentation strategies without first dealing with the huge volumes of water we are losing,” Mahlangu argued. “It’s unfair to keep quoting the same 45% and 48% figures year after year. We need accurate data that reflects the improvements we’ve made in pipe repairs.”
Mahlangu urged the council to invest in reliable tracking systems capable of providing real-time updates on water losses and repair progress.
Ward 18 Councillor Felix Madzana highlighted chronic delays in repairing damaged pipes, blaming a persistent shortage of vehicles, equipment, and funds.
“If a report is sent to the team supposed to fix the leaks, the councillor must be informed of the outcome,” Madzana said. “For the past two years, the excuse has been the same: there is no car, there is no money. The council must acquire the necessary resources so these leaks are attended to quickly.”
Responding to the councillors’ concerns, Mayor David Coltart acknowledged the severity of the crisis and confirmed that a computerised reporting system is already in place to track maintenance requests.
“My understanding is that there is a computer system whereby reports are entered and given a reference number, which means it is possible to track them,” Coltart said. “Councillors should be able to log in, monitor the progress of their reports, and see exactly what action is being taken.”
He said improving transparency and communication around repairs would help both councillors and residents understand the status of reported faults.
Bulawayo is currently enduring one of its most severe water shortages in decades. Many suburbs have been subjected to strict rationing and prolonged dry spells, sometimes going for several days without running water. The crisis has heightened fears of waterborne diseases, disrupted business operations, and placed additional strain on households already grappling with economic hardship.
With climate change predicted to make droughts more frequent in southern Africa, councillors urged urgent investment in both short-term relief measures and long-term water security projects. These include dam rehabilitation, new water sources, and infrastructure modernisation.
For now, Bulawayo’s leaders face the urgent task of ensuring that every available drop is preserved, leaks are swiftly repaired, and alternative supplies are developed—before the city’s “life and death” challenge becomes irreversible.
Source- Bulawayo24
