Bulawayo Mayor, David Coltart, has issued a plea to the government, urging for the deployment of police or military personnel to safeguard the Nyamandlovu Aquifer against vandalism. Recognizing its critical importance as the city’s lifeline for water supply, Coltart emphasized the necessity of protecting this vital resource.
Situated in a region plagued by water scarcity and recurrent droughts, Bulawayo has faced challenges in meeting the water demands of its growing population. Consequently, the expansion of the city necessitated the exploration of new water sources, as existing ones proved insufficient.
In response to the 1991/92 drought, emergency measures were implemented, including a groundwater abstraction program from the Matsheumhlope well-field underlying the city. This initiative aimed to supplement dwindling water supplies from surface reservoirs, which had fallen to critical levels.
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A preliminary study of the Nyamandlovu Aquifer revealed its significant groundwater potential, capable of yielding an annual volume of 3.5 x 10^6m³. Despite being located 60 km northwest of the city, a portion of Bulawayo’s water supply is sourced from this aquifer.
However, challenges persist in fully harnessing the aquifer’s capacity. The Nyamandlovu Aquifer’s Rochester system, designed to produce 16,000m³ per day, currently operates at reduced capacity, generating only 3,000m³-6,000m³ per day. This shortfall is attributed to a combination of non-operational boreholes, with typically 30 out of a possible 56 boreholes in use, and frequent mechanical breakdowns.
To address these issues and ensure the sustainable utilization of this vital resource, Mayor David Coltart stressed the urgency of protecting the Nyamandlovu Aquifer from vandalism and enhancing its operational efficiency.
