Zimbabwe: Water Taps Flowing in Marondera
Medair’s urban water project has made it possible for safe drinking water to flow from household taps for 120,000 residents in Marondera town, Zimbabwe.
Medair’s urban water project has made it possible for safe drinking water to flow from household taps for 120,000 residents in Marondera town, Zimbabwe.
In October 2010, 16-year-old Benhilda Dengu had to make three trips each day to a shallow, unprotected well half a kilometre from her house to collect water for herself and her family. Her parents died in a car accident two years ago, and ever since, she has lived with her grandparents and helped to raise her three younger siblings.
“We have had no water at the house for eight months now,” said Benhilda. Like all of the homes in this area, water had stopped flowing to the house due to the failing pipes and pumps in Marondera’s water system. As a result, residents travelled from their homes to gather untreated water from communal wells. However, drinking this water carried significant health risks.
The Threat of Cholera
“Some people get stomach pains from the water from the shallow wells,” said Jotham Sinoka, foreman of the water treatment plant.
But stomach pains are just the beginning. In 2008 and 2009, Zimbabwe experienced a deadly cholera outbreak that took the lives of 4,000 people, one of the largest single outbreaks ever documented in sub-Saharan Africa. Fifty-five out of 62 districts were affected, including major urban areas which had become vulnerable due to the poor condition of water treatment plants, sewers, and waste collection.
Witnessing the devastation of Zimbabwe’s cholera outbreak from a distance, Medair’s WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) team began working on a plan to improve safe water supply in the country and protect residents from cholera and other waterborne diseases.
“By establishing a presence in Zimbabwe, we have a rare opportunity to meet crucial water needs, particularly in the high-density townships which are ripe for another cholera outbreak,” said Philip Walker, Medair Desk Officer for Zimbabwe.
Marondera town was quickly identified as a vulnerable community. Medair’s initial assessment identified that Marondera’s whole water system needed to be rehabilitated: broken pumps, motors, and booster stations.
“The whole town of 120,000 people relied on one pump instead of three, as it should’ve been, explained Pieter Bakker, Medair’s Urban WASH project manager.
“The old pumps still stem from the 1950s and 60s, and through their deterioration over time we got into trouble,” said Wickliff Mutambanengwe, Marondera town planner. “Medair’s help has come at the right time.”
A Close Collaboration
With funding support from the Humanitarian Aid department of the European Community, Medair began rehabilitating Marondera’s water treatment and distribution system, in partnership with the local community. The Marondera Town Council contributed to the project with funds received from the Zimbabwe Ministry of Finance. “The town council has taken their responsibilities and contributed their share in the project,” said Pieter. “It could not have worked without that commitment and work by them.”
Over a period of several months, Medair assisted with the rehabilitation of key infrastructure at pumping and booster stations. Medair worked with local sub-contractors and provided equipment and expertise to the project.
The pumping stations required new heavy pumps that needed to be installed with great care, as each pump weighed about 1.5 tonnes. “The moment the equipment arrived on site, all staff of the municipality were extremely happy as they saw things happening and moving,” said Pieter Bakker. “That was a good moment.”
Local sub-contractors worked enthusiastically on the project, even lending an extra pump to the project. “As inhabitants of Marondera town, we’re happy to support your activities since we see that things improve and develop well,” said Gerry Maritz of Robertson’s Building Systems.
He smiled widely: “This morning, I was able to have a shower at my house for the first time in a very long time.”
“Marondera Town Will Now Have Water”
On the first of December, 2010, at the Marondera Water Treatment Plant, the water works were officially handed over to the Marondera City Council. The project has made it possible for the 120,000 residents of Marondera to receive water at their homes. "The people of Marondera are grateful to the European Community and Medair for responding to their needs by rehabilitating the Marondera water plant,” said the Mayor.
“You came at the right time when all the dilapidated equipment had nearly collapsed,” said Shepherd Shingirai, water supply superintendent. “On our own, we were struggling. There was never enough water supplied.”
For young Benhilda and her family, the ability to now drink water from their own household taps is a real blessing. “The water will help make our daily tasks easier, like cooking, drinking, and bathing,” said Benhilda.
“Ultimately, this project will reduce the risk of cholera outbreaks in Marondera,” concluded Pieter Bakker. “The money is well invested as this is a very straightforward project. It’s easy to see results−you either have water or you don’t. Marondera town will now have water.”
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Medair’s project in Marondera, Zimbabwe is funded by the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid department, the Marondera Town Council, and by private donors.
Medair began working in Zimbabwe in November of 2009 in response to the risk of future cholera outbreaks and to address the high level of vulnerability among the population.
This web feature was produced with resources gathered by Medair field and headquarters staff. The views expressed herein are those solely of Medair and should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of any other organisation.
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