Senator Coltart met with the Financial Services Department from Bulawayo City Council in October 2008 to assess the urgent needs of the city. In response, the Financial Services Department have produced a detailed report on the emergency financial requirements of the city. A full copy of this document is available here.
After extensive research in July and August 2008, the Financial Services Department have outlined four key areas requiring urgent attention and resources. These are the sewerage, water, refuse removal and transport systems. Without urgent attention, the people of Bulawayo face serious potential health risks, particularly through the spread of disease.
Areas in Urgent Need of Urgent Attention and Resources
- Sewerage Works
- Water
- Refuse Removal
- Improving Transport Infrastructure
Sewerage Works
Bulawayo’s sewerage system is in a critical state. The system is old, in need of refurbishment and replacement and also requires expansion in many areas. The pipe network needs repair, as do most sewerage treatment works, which are currently operating at 50% capacity. Throughout the system, there are also a large number of blockages, particularly due to high sand loading.
A lack of resources means that neither upgrading work nor repair of the sewerage system can take place. The normal servicing of Bulawayo’s sewerage system requires tools, equipment, protective clothing and vehicles. All of these are in short supply. For example, in July 2008, 366 sewerage chokes (blockages) were not repaired and were carried through into August 2008.
Blocked and broken sewerage pipes lead to overflows in the system, which can then contaminate drinking water and encourage the spread of disease.
Untreated sewage and overflowing sewage pose a major health risk to the population of Bulawayo and have been experienced by others around Zimbabwe. In November 2008, there were cholera outbreaks across the country. Medecins sans Frontiers report treating 500 people in Harare for cholera by 18th November 2008.
Bulawayo has also seen a cholera outbreak in November and with an inadequate sewerage system, this could worsen as the rainy season intensifies.
In total, the cost of restoring Bulawayo’s sewerage system to an adequately functioning level is estimated as US $3 117 000
Water
The Financial Services Department have highlighted serious problems in both the supply and treatment of water in Bulawayo. These problems could potentially lead to the spread of serious diseases and water shortages for the city. The Financial Services Department suggest that without external intervention from organisations such as UNICEF, untreated water would have been delivered to the population of Bulawayo in July and August 2008.
Water Supply
At the moment, Bulawayo’s dams are failing to provide the necessary volume of water to the city. Bulawayo Financial Services department estimate that the city’s daily consumption is 154 000 m³. At the end of July the daily supply from city dams is 60 000 m³, reaching less than half of the city’s demand.
Some of Bulawayo’s supply dams are not storing water at their full capacity. For example, the Inyankuni dam – the second largest in Bulwayo – was storing 22.05% of its capacity in July 2008. On average, in July 2008 the dams of Bulawayo were storing 60.64% of their capacity.
On top of this, leaks are causing the loss of 20-25% of the water supply. A lack of resources, especially in skilled staff, materials and fuel, has hampered the leak-detection programme, which means that 370 leaks have not been fixed. Short term funding to address this is estimated at US $11 625 000.
The government water boreholes are also not functioning. They have the potential to yield 16 000 m³ water per day for the city. There are plans to repair these boreholes and UNICEF and other organisations have sourced materials for this purpose.
These short term issues must be addressed as a matter of urgency. However, the Financial Services Department believe that the only long lasting solution to water problems in Bulawayo is the development of Gwayi-Shangani-Zambezi water project. This is estimated to cost in excess of US $600 million.
Water Treatment
There is a shortage of chemicals to treat water in Bulawayo. This is because they are mostly imported into the country, which entails the rising cost of foreign exchange rates. This means that these chemicals are often extremely expensive. For example, the monthly cost for aluminium sulphate is approximately US $150 000.
The city only avoided a severe health threat because UNICEF made 300 tons of chemicals available under their water and sanitation programme. There has not been much progress in stockpiling chemicals for the rainy season, when chemical use increases. On 1st September 2008, there was only enough aluminium sulphate to last for the next 29 days.
The total cost to stabilize the water situation in Bulawayo is estimated at US $31 965 000
Refuse Removal
Domestic rubbish is not being collected. This has led to widespread illegal dumping and burning of rubbish in suburban areas.
Only half of the 88 sweepers used in February 2008 still remain in operation. It also seems that there are similar staff turnover problems.
Ideally, Bulawayo would use 21 refuse compactors for domestic refuse collection. However, at present only 3 are in use. To provide the city with a full set of maintenance equipment, including compactors and bulldozers is estimated to cost US $5 656 000.
There is also a shortage of chemicals to control the mosquito and rodent breeding around rubbish sites. The cost to obtain such chemicals is estimated at US $250 000 in the short term.
Improving Transport Infrastructure
Most of the people of Bulawayo rely on cars, bicycles and foot as their most common means of transport. This means that it is important that the city’s road surfaces are properly maintained, in particular for the use of cars and other motor vehicles. Proper maintenance of the roads allows smooth transport of people and supplies both within and beyond the city, and, most importantly, helps to avoid traffic accidents on Bulawayo’s roads.
There are approximately 2600 kms of tarred roads in Bulawayo, of which 130kms are major arterial roads. A lack of resources means that maintenance and repair has not and cannot be done. Many of the road surfaces in Bulawayo are over 25 years old and are rapidly falling into disrepair with potholes and uneven surfaces.
There is little funding for the materials, equipment and skilled labour which are needed for repair and maintenance. For example, of 24 utility vans needed for a road redevelopment project, only 5 are available. Several attempts to obtain resources from the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) and Reserve Bank have not been successful.
Bulawayo needs investment in maintenance vehicles and equipment. To fulfil Bulwayo’s immediate term road development requirements, it is estimated that US $425 000 will be needed. To fulfil the city’s plant and equipment requirements will cost a further US $11 875 000.