The City of Harare will shut down Morton Jaffray and Warren Control Waterworks on Thursday and Friday this week for routine maintenance, leading to interruptions in water supply in some parts of the city.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, November 5, Harare Acting Town Clerk Phakamile Mabhena Moyo said the shutdown will facilitate scouring and necessary repairs of the main line at various chambers from Morton Jaffray, as well as the interconnector from Warren to Alex. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
Please be advised that there will be a shutdown of both Morton Jaffray and Warren Control Waterworks from 1200hrs on Thursday 7 November 2024 to 1800hrs on Friday 08 November 2024.
This will allow for scouring and subsequent repairs of the main line at various chambers from Morton Jaffray as well as the Warren to Alex interconnector.
During this time all suburbs will be affected except for parts of the Western high density suburbs (Glen View, Budiriro, parts of Kuwadzana, Mufakose etc).
We therefore encourage consumers to use water sparingly during this time and would like to offer our sincere apologies for any inconveniences that may arise.
</blockquote>
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Pindula News

The city of Harare is shutting down waterworks for maintenance on Thursday and Friday. This will interrupt water supply in some parts of the city. The main line at Morton Jaffray and the interconnector at Warren will be repaired. The shutdown will begin on Thursday at 1200hrs and end on Friday at 1800hrs. All suburbs except some parts of the Western high density suburbs will be affected. People are advised to use water sparingly during this time. apologies for any inconvenience.

Harare Shuts Down Morton Jaffray And Warren Waterworks For Routine Maintenance

Harare Mayor, Cllr Lovejoy Chitengu assured residents that the tap water in the city is safe to drink, adding that it has been passed fit for consumption by experts.
Chitengu made the remarks after touring Morton Jaffray waterworks on Saturday where he “demonstrated” that tap water is indeed safe by drinking from a tap nearby. He said:
<blockquote>
Our water is clean as you can see, there is nothing wrong with it. So, we are encouraging residents to drink water from the taps because it is clean and has been approved by experts as fit for consumption.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, the Government has said Harare’s water supply has improved significantly over the last few weeks.
This follows interventions by a technical committee set up by the Government last month to address the severe supply challenges facing the capital.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/harare-water-supplies-improve">The Sunday Mail</a>, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development chief director (water resources and irrigation development) Tinayeshe Mutazu said:
<blockquote>
The government took steps to intervene very quickly to avert total disaster, primarily a cholera outbreak, which was knocking on the city’s doors.
Treasury has provided financial resources to the tune of US$1.2 million. The City of Harare will draw down directly from Treasury.
Treasury is providing that funding through direct payments to service providers.
</blockquote>
He said the Government has since disbursed about US$1.2 million for the procurement of water treatment chemicals which is being paid directly to suppliers. Said Mutazu:
<blockquote>
The team has made progress, the first achievement being that they have managed to arrest the deterioration of water supply.
Supply was almost coming down to zero, to a point where the city could not provide any water.
This was not because there was no water in the dams, but because they could not pump untreated water into the city.

So, we moved from a point where daily supply was hovering around 150 mega litres to the current 350 mega litres.
But the desire is to get to above 520 mega litres per day, which is the current installed capacity.
</blockquote>
Harare’s water crisis has been worsened by frequent power outages at Morton Jaffray waterworks.
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Harare Mayor Urges Residents To Drink Tap Water

A power outage at Morton Jaffray waterworks on Monday afternoon affected the pumping of water to Harare residents at a time when Zimbabwe’s capital is battling a cholera outbreak.
In a statement released on Monday night, the City of Harare’s spokesperson Stanley Gama also revealed that Morton Jaffray’s alternative and dedicated Norton feeder line, which was lost over a month ago, is yet to be restored. Read the statement:
<blockquote>
Morton Jaffray experienced a power failure at 1430hrs today and as of 2130hrs, electricity was yet to be restored.
This has affected the pumping of water to residents. ZESA technicians have indicated that there might be a problem with the Parkridge Sub Station feeder and are working to restore the power.
Morton Jaffray’s alternative and dedicated Norton feeder line was lost on 17 October because of the storm that hit most parts of the country. ZESA is still to restore the dedicated line.
As a result of the power failure at Morton Jaffray, most of the city has no water. Morton Jaffray will resume pumping water to the city as soon as power is restored. In the meantime, we urge residents to use water sparingly.
</blockquote>
Last week, Harare deputy mayor Kudzai Kadzombe said that Harare needs 1200 mega litres for residents to get water daily but has a production capacity of 600ML.
Most of the time, the city produces 300ML which it shares with Ruwa, Norton, Epworth and Chitungwiza.
The City of Harare obtains its water supply from four dams; Lake Chivero, Lake Manyame, Harava Dam and Prince Edward Dam (which are also in the Manyame Catchment area and downstream of the City of Harare).
It is expected that when Kunzvi Dam located in Mashonaland East Province, is completed, Harare will get a cleaner water source and reduce the water treatment costs.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/11/18/president-mnangagwa-reverses-the-appointment-of-general-valerio-sibanda-to-zanu-pf-politburo/">Pindula News</a>

Harare's Water Crisis Worsens As Power Outage Hits Morton Jaffray Waterworks

Harare City Council (HCC) has announced that the recommissioning of the Morton Jaffray Treatment Plant is in progress. In a statement seen by Pindula News, the local government authority said the plant was shut down after the council had failed to secure requisite water treatment chemicals on time. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
<h2>𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲</h2>
The City of Harare would like to advise it’s valued customers and stakeholders that the recommissioning of Morton Jaffray Treatment Plant is in progress after it was shutdown last night around 1750hrs.
The shutdown was due to challenges within the water treatment chemicals supply chain and compounded by recent inclement weather patterns in raw material source countries.
One load of liquid aluminium sulphate was received at 0610 hours this morning and four loads of granular aluminium sulphate are expected in the course of the day.
The initial target flow for Morton Jaffray is 200 mega litres and 65 mega litres for Prince Edward.
The target flow will still affect a number of suburbs which will receive minimum to zero flow until more chemicals are received.
The city regrets any inconveniences caused.
</blockquote>
The suppressed water production at Morton Jaffray and Prince Edward water treatment plants left most residential areas without water for a prolonged period of time. 
Harare City said efforts were being made to rectify the deficiencies. It urged stakeholders to use the available water sparingly. 
Some residents, however, criticised the city fathers for poor communication saying they announce the shutdown of water treatment plants when they would already shut down instead of notifying stakeholders in advance.
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