Water Shedding to Continue Despite Rainfall: BCC
Written by Skyz Metro FM on January 15, 2025
By Anisha Hungwe | 15 January 2025
The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has confirmed that water shedding will continue in Bulawayo despite the consistent rainfall the city has received since November.
Speaking in an interview with Skyz Metro FM, BCC engineer Brian Sibanda explained that water levels in the city’s dams remain too low to end water shedding.
“The truth is, the current rate of water inflow into our dams makes it extremely unlikely that we can stop or reduce water shedding in the near future. Our standard practice is to implement water restrictions only after guaranteeing a 24-month water supply. However, the current dam levels indicate that this may not be feasible, even if we experience two years without rainfall,” said Sibanda.
Sibanda also urged residents to practise water harvesting for tasks such as gardening to help conserve water.
“Let’s all do our part to conserve water. Those with gutters, and even those without, can easily collect rainwater. Simply place buckets beneath your roof to harvest this valuable resource. Let’s prioritize using rainwater for activities like gardening and other non-essential tasks. By doing so, we can reduce our reliance on dam water and lessen the burden on the council’s water supply. This is a collective effort, and every drop counts,” Sibanda concluded.
While the rainfall has gradually improved dam levels, the increase is not yet sufficient to meet the city’s water supply needs.