CHITREST lnformation and Research.

On 28 July 2010, through Resolution 64/292, the United Nations General Assembly explicitly recognized the human right to water and sanitation and acknowledged that clean drinking water and sanitation are essential to the realisation of all human rights. It is from this UN resolution that Chitrest would like to express its distaste at the state of potable water provision by the Chitungwiza Municipality. The situation is so untenable that residents are finding it very difficult to survive and have a decent standard of life. The situation is so deplorable that most people are now resorting to fetching water from unprotected wells and spending nights queuing at the few boreholes in the community. Some residents have to part with huge sums of money on a daily bases as they have to buy the water from those with boreholes at their homes whilst others with cars are travelling far distances in search of the precious liquid.

This catastrophic situation is obtaining in all wards but most severely affected are the following areas: ward 11 , Zengeza 3 New Stands, ward 9, ward 7, ward 17, ward 15, ward 22, Zengeza 5 Rockview area and ward 14, with some of the areas going for a year without tap water. We urge the council to at least ensure fairness in the distribution of this basic human right because there are areas where running water is available at least thrice a week whilst others have got no drop for the whole year.

This unfortunate and unacceptable situation if not addressed urgently, will lead to an emergence of waterborne diseases such as typhoid and cholera.Already there are various reports to the effect that Manyame Park phase 2 is having diarrhoea cases of which if this is not addressed promptly, the situation may spread to other areas. Apart from the diseases, residents’ standards of hygiene and day to day programs are greatly compromised because of unavailability of clean potable water.

We therefore propose the following as mitigating measures:
Drilling of boreholes in all affected wards.
We plead that all MPs use their CDFs towards this cause.
Council to engage DDF for assistance with relatively cheaper services in the installation of boreholes.

When Harare City Council provide us with water, we advice our Council to distribute the water fairly across all wards.

The Municipality must engage NGOs so that residents are provided with water treatment chemicals such as WaterGaurd® for chlorinating water.

In the event that some areas do not receive running water, the council must provide the residents with water bowsers to alleviate these shortages.

As a long term measure we call for the Muda Dam project to be transformed from mere talk,rather lets walk the talk.