Staff Reporter
The Municipality of Redcliff says the long-awaited separation of the Ziscosteel booster pump is now at an advanced stage, with authorities optimistic that Redcliff suburb will begin receiving water as early as this week.
Addressing journalists soon after a full council meeting the council’s Engineer Thembani Kundlande confirmed that the local authority is finalising work on the project in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA).
“The Zisco booster pump separation is now at an advanced stage and we are expecting that in liaising with ZESA we should be completing most probably this week,” Kundlande said.
He added, “The transformer is now on the platform and the metering units have been put. What is left are minor snags relating to transformer connections. Once that is complete, pumping to Redcliff suburb will commence.”
In addition to the booster pump project, the municipality has installed two bulk water meters on the boundary between Redcliff and neighbouring Kwekwe City. The meters are expected to provide more accurate measurements of the amount of water being supplied to Redcliff.
“Previously we had meters at off-takes to different suburbs, but we had to put them at the boundary so that we know exactly the amount of water that is coming from Kwekwe into our jurisdiction,” said Kundlande.
The engineer also revealed that council is upgrading sewer infrastructure in Simbi Park, popularly known as ZCC. About 500 metres of pipeline have been upgraded, with work on the remaining 150 metres still underway.
“Unfortunately, the excavator we had engaged broke down, so we have been relying on our TLB, which is slower. But we are carrying on with that work and are hoping to finish by the end of next week,” Kundlande said.
The upgrade is aimed at ensuring that all sewage from the area is channelled into the main trunk line and conveyed to the treatment plant.
The projects come as Redcliff continues to grapple with water supply challenges, with residents heavily reliant on Kwekwe for bulk water supplies.
