Bulawayo City Requires US$500 Million to Revamp Aging Sewer System
The City of Bulawayo is seeking nearly US$500 million to revitalize its aging sewer reticulation system, much of which dates back over 60 years, according to Dumani Gwetu, the principal engineer for water and sanitation.
This funding estimate is detailed in a summary highlighting the costs associated with wastewater projects, including essential areas such as wastewater treatment facilities, outfall sewers, sewer system replacements, pump station upgrades, and infrastructure for recycled water supply.
Gweta presented these figures during a recent two-day Trade Effluent and Water Recycling Indaba in Bulawayo, where industry representatives, policymakers, and technical experts gathered under the theme “Innovation for Responsible Industry, Cleaner Environment and Water Security in Zimbabwe.”
The data underscores the significant investment needed to modernize outdated infrastructure, enhance effluent management, and boost recycling capability amid growing demands on water resources.
“Wastewater treatment facilities represent the largest share of the budget, requiring an estimated US$193.2 million within the specified period. Notably, since 2012, the city has only been able to allocate US$14 million due to limited financial inflows,” said Gwetu.
Bulawayo operates 10 wastewater treatment plants with a total capacity of nearly 90ML per day, although they are currently functioning at less than 50% capacity. Out of 18 sewer pump stations, only seven are operational, primarily due to the advanced age of the equipment, much of which is over 70 years old.
Gweta noted that the deteriorating condition of the reticulation system, along with other human factors, has led to reports of 80 to 110 sewer clogs daily.
Staff attends to between 48 and 96 of these reports, depending on vehicle availability and seasonal conditions.
He explained that a sewer clog refers to the gradual buildup of debris and foreign materials, resulting in partial flow restrictions, while a complete blockage leads to total obstruction and often causes overflows from manholes.
“The sewer reticulation system is intended to safely collect and transport wastewater to treatment facilities. Its key components include main sewers that serve as primary conduits, collector mains that gather wastewater from smaller lines, manholes for inspection and maintenance, and pump stations for areas where gravity flow isn’t feasible,” Gwetu stated.
He added that, ideally, sewer systems operate on gravity, but pump stations are essential in low-lying areas to ensure continuous wastewater flow.
According to the 2012 wastewater master plan, the sewer reticulation network spanned approximately 1,465 kilometers.
