Harare Mayor, Jacob Mafume, has said there is a need for a citywide pipe replacement programme.
He made the remarks on Tuesday during a Special Council meeting convened to deliberate on water challenges being faced in the capital.
The meeting came amid reports that some of the water pumped by the local government authority was not reaching intended targets due to bursts of the old pipes.
Harare’s water pipeline was installed during the colonial era save for suburbs that were established after independence.
Mafume also said new suburbs are posing a challenge to the pipeline replacement agenda adding that people were settling without the requisite infrastructure.
Speaking on water challenges, Councillor Duma said the problem is that chemical suppliers are failing to provide the city with the required chemicals. Duma moved a motion to open the tender to other suppliers.
He also said the local government authority has to be ruthless to people who illegally connect themselves.
Councillor Duma also urged Council to distribute the water equally so that all areas can access water.
Meanwhile, Mayor Mafume said Harare City Council would write to the central government requesting that the chemicals market be opened to end Zimphos monopoly.