Construction of Kunzvi Dam northeast of Harare is progressing well with the dam wall and other works now 50 percent complete.
The dam is primarily intended to supply Harare Metropolitan especially the higher and drier eastern areas, but will also supply other urban settlements in the area and on the way to Harare. It is set to be commissioned in 2026.
Kunzvi Dam, being constructed on Nyagui River on the boundary of Goromonzi and Murehwa Districts in Mashonaland East, is one of the ongoing major dam construction in progress as Government moves to ramp up the country’s water security in view of climate change.
In a statement, ZINWA corporate communications and marketing manager, Mrs Marjorie Munyonga, said the construction of the dam is on course and progressing quite well.
“Current work at the site includes core trench excavation with a cumulative total of 103 390 cubic metres of core material having been excavated on the right bank while a total of 277 660 cubic metres of the same have been excavated on the left bank.
“Cumulative core material placing has been carried for 65 metres on the left bank with 681 370 cubic metres having been placed. A cumulative 18 460 cubic metres of core material has been placed on the right bank. Fill placement on the dam embankment has been done on 70 metres with a total of 361 750 cubic metres having been placed to date on the left bank.
“Work on the intake tower is also in progress with steel fixing underway. Rip rap placing is also part of the ongoing activities at the dam where 10 760 cubic metres of rip rap have been placed to date with 225 cubic metres of rip rap currently stockpiled at both the upstream and downstream slopes. Excavation of the riverbed also remains ongoing and 54 850 cubic meters have been excavated from the riverbed. Excavation of the coffer dam has also commenced,” she said.
The dam, on completion, is expected to provide water for the surrounding Juru, Musami and Cross rural service centres, together with Majuru Business Centre in Goromonzi.
It will also provide irrigation water for 500 hectares at irrigation schemes set to be established in the two districts of Goromonzi and Murehwa mainly for the families and communities relocated to make way for the construction of the dam.
Kunzvi Dam will provide raw water for the eastern parts of Harare, which have perennially experienced acute water challenges. Construction work started in 2021.
