Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second-largest city, is moving closer to securing a crucial medium-term solution for its persistent water crisis with the proposed Glassblock Dam project in the Upper Umzingwane area of Matabeleland South. The initiative, valued at US$98 million, has received strong backing from potential financiers, including the African Development Bank (AfDB) and Standard Bank of South Africa, signalling a significant step toward addressing the city’s severe water deficit.
The Mayor of Bulawayo, His Worship Senator David Coltart, highlighted the project’s critical importance during an online engagement hosted recently by the Centre for Innovation and Technology. He revealed that Bulawayo currently requires 165 megalitres (ML) of water daily but is only able to supply between 110 and 120 ML, with supply occasionally dropping to a worrying 80 or 90 ML. The Glassblock Dam is projected to add 70 ML per day to the network, boosting the total supply to approximately 180 ML per day, finally surpassing the city’s current demand and providing much-needed stability.
The dam is being implemented under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Mayor Coltart expressed optimism that the remaining paperwork needed to formalise the agreement between the government and the consortium will soon be concluded, allowing the fast-tracking of funding. He confirmed that the AfDB remains fully supportive, noting, “The cost of the dam remains US$98 million, with existing pledges of US$93 million.” While the Gwayi-Shangani Dam is recognised as the ultimate long-term solution, the Mayor emphasised that Glassblock will provide essential “breathing space” within a shorter timeframe, allowing the government to focus resources on the larger, more complex Gwayi-Shangani demands.
Addressing concerns raised by a resident regarding potentially high water tariffs stemming from private sector involvement, Mayor Coltart provided an economic justification for the project’s cost structure. He contrasted the depreciation and low-cost maintenance of the city’s current, ageing dams with the higher initial investment of the new facility. The mayor projected the cost of water from Glassblock at about $0.90 per unit, but assured residents that the net cost passed on to them would be approximately $0.16 per unit. He strategically reframed the cost, asking residents to consider the “hidden cost” of the current water scarcity, including the daily inconvenience, public health risks, and the negative impact on economic development and investor confidence.
Beyond the direct supply boost, the project is touted for its wide-ranging socio-economic benefits. It is expected to significantly ease the burden on women and girls, who currently spend hours sourcing water, enabling them to pursue education and business opportunities. Furthermore, the dam is anticipated to enhance public health, improve livelihoods, particularly in high-density suburbs, and offer critical climate adaptation benefits by increasing water storage capacity and capturing valuable runoff. The mayor acknowledged, however, that while Glassblock is a major component, the city’s water woes are multifaceted, requiring parallel solutions such as upgrading the Mtshabezi and Insiza pipelines, totally rehabilitating Ncema Dam, and addressing environmental challenges posed by gold and lithium mining activities.
