The City of Harare is working to repair a clogged sewer system at the corner of Kaguvi Street and Abercon, as confirmed by Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume. The issue is being addressed with urgency, given the 13-meter depth of the manhole and risks involved in the repair work.
The sewer pipes, laid in the 1940s using Italian prisoners of war, are clogged with items like clothes, blankets, and rags. “We lost 2 workers last year to sewer pipes due to suffocation,” Mayor Mafume said, adding that workers have been retrained and equipped with safety gear, including 13m ladders, wenches, and oxygen tanks.
The problem is expected to be cleared within 2 weeks. Plans are underway to redesign and redirect the sewer system to prevent future issues, including raising the depth from the current 13m.
The City of Harare is revamping its sewer system across the city. The project involves replacing old and deteriorating pipes with new, durable ones to curb chronic water loss and improve supply. About 5,000km and 4,000km of the city’s water and sewer pipes, respectively, are set to be replaced under this programme, which is being spearheaded by a Government-appointed technical committee and the Harare City Council.
Key focus priority areas include Mbare, Glen View, and Kuwadzana: which experience frequent water supply disruptions and diarrhoeal diseases.
The project aims to address blockages and upgrade the sewer network in cholera-prone areas.
The Morton Jaffrey and Prince Edward Water Treatment Plants will be refurbished to improve water supply capacity.
The project is part of President Mnangagwa’s Call to Action programme, aiming to modernize water infrastructure and ensure reliable access to clean water for all communities in the Greater Harare Metropolitan area. The city has allocated US$127.4 million for this purpose, with plans to install prepaid water meters and smart metering technology across the city.
