By Chenesai Mugwadi

Harare’s water supply is set for a major boost after the City commissioned five new pumps at Morton Jaffray Water Works to draw water from Lake Manyame, 28 kilometres away.

Mayor Cllr Jacob Mafume commissioned the pumps on Tuesday at a ceremony attended by Deputy Mayor Cllr Rosemary Muronda and Acting Town Clerk Adv Warren S. Chiwawa.

The pumps, installed 40 metres underground, replace old equipment that stopped working in 2024.

The new units were procured at a cost of US$2 million through assistance from President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.

The development is expected to significantly increase water supply to the capital.

Lake Manyame has a carrying capacity of 400,000 megalitres, twice the capacity of Lake Chivero.

Chivero has been the city’s main source.

According to the City, tapping into the larger, cleaner Lake Manyame will also reduce the municipality’s budget for water treatment chemicals.

The City of Harare said it is also undertaking several initiatives to guarantee regular supply of clean water to residents in partnership with Helcraw Water.

The commissioning comes as Harare battles chronic water shortages.

Many suburbs have been going for days without running water due to ageing infrastructure and limited pumping capacity.