The Morton Jaffray Water Treatment Plant is undergoing major refurbishments, paving the way for a transformative water supply deal that is expected to ease Harare’s long-standing water challenges. Built in the 1950s to serve a much smaller population, the aging facility has for decades struggled to meet the demands of a rapidly expanding city. The ongoing rehabilitation works are part of broader efforts to expand production capacity and support a tripartite water supply agreement involving the government, the City of Harare, and Helcraw Water.
Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume described the project as a significant milestone in the city’s efforts to restore consistent and safe water supply for residents. “This is a key cog in the water reticulation ecosystem. Works to expand capacity from the current 350 megalitres to 520 megalitres are progressing well, and we have seen many new pumps being installed. We believe the upcoming deal will go very well,” said Councillor Mafume.
Harare Metropolitan Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Senator Charles Tawengwa expressed satisfaction with the level of progress achieved so far, noting that the initiative aligns with the Second Republic’s thrust to improve service delivery through infrastructure modernisation. “It is the goal of the Second Republic to provide water to its residents, and we are very happy with the level of progress registered here. We are quite impressed with this progress,” he said.
National Chairperson of the Zimbabwe National Organisation Association for Residents Trust, Mr Shalvar Chikomba, also commended the development, describing it as a turning point in the fight against Harare’s water shortages. “We welcome this era of private partnerships to ease water challenges. For a long time, residents have relied on boreholes, so any initiative that ensures consistent water supply is a welcome relief,” said Mr Chikomba.
As part of the wider water improvement programme, the City of Harare is set to replace over 6,400 kilometres of water pipes to reduce leakages and improve distribution efficiency. This Monday, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development handed over service vehicles to the local authority to facilitate the extensive works.
The revival of Morton Jaffray signals a new era of reliability and hope for the capital, where years of erratic water supply have hindered both public health and economic activity. Once complete, the modernised plant is expected to deliver cleaner, safer, and more consistent water to homes and businesses across Harare, cementing the city’s commitment to sustainable urban renewal.
