Zimbabwe: Cleaner Water, Healthier Communities . . . Mat South Sets Bold 74 Percent Target
[The Herald] LOCAL authorities in Matabeleland South have set a target to reach 74 percent coverage of water supply in communities across the province by the end of this year.
Matabeleland South, a province in Zimbabwe, has set ambitious targets to improve access to clean water and sanitation across its communities. By the end of this year, local authorities aim to reach 74% coverage in water supply, sanitation management, and solid waste management. The province also targets 90% coverage in water supply, 97% in solid waste management, and 100% in both water and sanitation by 2030.
The government established Minimum Service Delivery Standards (MSDS) to ensure every Zimbabwean has access to basic services as it works towards becoming an upper middle-income economy by 2030. Urban councils are expected to cover 90% of their areas by year-end and 100% by 2030, while rural local authorities aim to achieve 70% coverage by next year and 100% by 2030. Water should be within 100 meters in towns and 500 meters in rural areas, with walking time not exceeding 30 minutes.
Improved drinking water sources include piped water systems, boreholes, protected wells, springs, rainwater harvesting, sand abstraction, artesian wells, and packaged water. Urban councils must provide piped water schemes or treated water from boreholes and springs, while rural areas will see increased sand abstraction in dry areas. The province is prioritizing the construction of household and institutional toilets to improve solid waste management and enforce sanitation by-laws to eliminate open defecation.
Roads and public lighting are also targets, with a 77% coverage goal by year-end. Local authorities must focus on routine road grading, pothole patching, street lighting maintenance, and drainage system rehabilitation to prevent flooding and water contamination. Improving water and sanitation coverage in clinics and hospitals is crucial, as patients and staff are at risk of waterborne diseases without clean water access.
The province's Deputy Director of Local Government, Mr. Simon Muleya, presented a plan to guide councils in aligning budgets and projects with MSDS targets. The plan will help upscale the establishment of piped water schemes, sand abstraction technologies, household and institutional toilets, and more. Compliance with these standards will be monitored and evaluated by the Ministry of Local Government, with non-compliant councils facing corrective and disciplinary measures.
Access to clean water and proper WASH services is now a legal and development priority, tied to Zimbabwe's Vision 2030. The ultimate goal is to ensure ratepayers get value for their money and prevent any community from being left behind as the country advances towards better health, education, and economic outcomes.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written; read the original for the full account.
