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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 31604, member: 636"] Water problems hit Bulawayo hard. People who control water spots make money in western neighborhoods. These water bosses ask for $2 to fill 100 liters. Many homes have gone dry water for weeks on end. City areas suffer because pumps break down and need parts from other countries. Families must buy clean water in bottles just to drink safely. Ladies who wash clothes find work at these water points. They clean dirty clothes for cash, as most houses lack running water. The city provides less than half the normal water each day. Instead of 90 million liters, they pump only 45 million. This hurts everyone in town, especially those who live on higher ground where water pressure stays very low. The Criterion tank feeds other tanks but runs half empty these days. When water levels drop below half, houses up high stay dry longer. Places like Emganwini, Nkulumane, and Pumula feel the pain the most. Empty pipes need filling before any water reaches homes. This takes time and makes the problem worse for many families. Mr. Christopher Dube from city hall says fixing this mess takes more than just turning the taps back on. First, they must fill the main tanks at Magwegwe, 6J, and Hillside. Then, water can flow through all the pipes again. But with less water coming from dams, this becomes harder each day. One woman waited in line and said she never expected to pay for free water but had no choice. The mayor, David Coltart, warned that water cuts will continue because rain did not fill the dams enough. Big pumps run at half power until new parts arrive from abroad, which will take two or three more weeks at least. People worry about girls standing in long lines. Drug dealers might come next. An older lady named Gogo Nyathi asks the government to help fast, saying they need both quick fixes and long-term plans. [/QUOTE]

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