Bulawayo Water Restoration Delayed By One Week

Residents of Bulawayo will have to endure an extended water outage after city authorities announced a delay in the restoration of the water supply, which was initially scheduled for Monday, June 9, 2025.

In a notice issued by the City of Bulawayo, Town Clerk Christopher Dube confirmed that unforeseen complications at the construction site have pushed back completion timelines by approximately seven days.

According to the statement, several key challenges contributed to the delay, including a change in the scope of work.

Engineers on site were forced to widen the embankment due to unstable, loose soil conditions, thereby extending construction efforts.

The city also faced logistical setbacks as critical construction materials were unavailable. Suppliers reportedly ran out of stock and were closed over the weekend, further stalling progress.

Safety has also emerged as a primary concern. The work is being conducted at elevated heights, creating a high-risk environment that demands strict adherence to safety protocols. These measures, while necessary, have slowed down the pace of work.

The City of Bulawayo apologises for the inconvenience caused and assures residents that all efforts are being made to complete the works safely and as quickly as possible.

The water supply delay is affecting a wide swath of Bulawayo, leaving many households without access to running water.

Among the hardest hit are residents connected to the Magwegwe Reservoir, including neighbourhoods such as Cowdray Park, Pelandaba West, Magwegwe, Njube, Mabutweni, Gwabalanda, Entumbane, Mpopoma, Matshobane, Lobengula, Emakhandeni, and Luveve.

Also impacted are areas supplied directly from the Criterion system, including Nketa suburbs 6 through 9, Emganwini, Nkulumane 1 to 5 and 10 to 12, as well as Bellevue, Newton West, West Somerton, and the Matopo Research Centre.