Harare Residents Take Charge Of Their Utilities, and It's Working.

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Solar powered community borehole donated by Doctors without Borders

In the city of Harare, Zimbabwe, local residents have grown tired of waiting for the government to provide them with safe and reliable drinking water. For over a decade, the city council has failed to fulfill this basic need, leaving many households with undrinkable water. The City of Harare council has been rationing water  for three or more days in a week , communities in Harare are now taking matters into their own hands. 

Residents are pooling their resources to fund the drilling and installation of boreholes and water systems in their neighborhoods. One community in the Glen-view area provides a prime example. Neighbors on a particular street have agreed to each contribute $150 towards the project. This initial funding allows them to hire companies to drill boreholes and set up solar-powered pumps to bring the water directly into their homes.

 

"The water actually is undrinkable, and some organizations have come like UNICEF, Presidential Borehole Scheme and Oxfam. They've come and drilled boreholes for the communities, but they are not enough, explained one resident. People are just tired of that. They want safe, clean drinking water somewhere close to their homes." 

New faucets installed by residents
New Faucets Installed By Residents

The process is not a quick or easy one. Residents must pay the drilling and installation costs in phases, which can take up to 3 months to complete. For deeper boreholes of 80 meters or more, the costs can quickly add up to $150 per household or more. Despite the challenges, the communities are determined to solve the water crisis on their own. They are no longer willing to wait for the local government to act. By pooling their resources and taking collective action, these Zimbabwean neighborhoods are ensuring they have access to the clean water they deserve.

This story serves as an inspiring example of how citizens can come together to address the failures of their local governing bodies. When faced with unresponsive leadership, these Harare residents demonstrate the power of community-driven solutions.

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