shortage of water chemicals

Water shortages in the country will see a rise not only because there was not much rain but also because chemicals for treating it are slowly and surely becoming scarce.An acute shortage of water treatment chemicals, burst water pipes and recurrent power shortages have been blamed for water shortages across Harare.

 At its maximum, the city produces 620 megalitres but has been producing around 400 million litres of which 60 percent is lost through leaks. To compound the problem, close to 70 000 households that are not on the council database are illegally connected to the water system.  Stocks of aluminum sulphate were low so water production was reduced to stretch the number of days people could have water could have water

The action has, however, severely affected residents who have had to scrounge for water. Residents of high-density suburbs were relying on boreholes, some of which have been condemned because they are contaminated with faucal matter. The city has not alerted the residents of its problems and residents continue to wonder why they do not have running water.

According to the city authourities , Zimphos, which supplies aluminum sulphate, is supposed to deliver five 30-tonne trucks of the chemical daily but failed to do so for an undisclosed number of days.Zimphos alerted the council about the breakdown of its plant. The city uses US$3 million to procure water treatment chemicals each month. Highdon Investments chairman Mr MacDonald Chapfika said the city was snubbing suppliers with proven capacity to deliver effectively.

Highdon Investments said that during their time as suppliers they never allowed the situation to deteriorate to such levels as they always had plan B in place. They argued that they had secured dealerships from a number of leading South African manufacturers who are willing to set up production factories in Harare.

Is this a question of who can provide chemicals or we just need them for everyone benefit. The city officials must make an effort to get the chemicals before the city runs completely out of safe drinking water.