Harare Begins Replacement of Water Pipes Along Major Road

The City of Harare has started work to replace water pipes along Merlewood Drive near ED Mnangagwa Road, formerly known as Enterprise Road.

The project targets an area of the capital where water supply has long been affected by leaks and bursts in outdated pipes. Zimbabwe's largest city has faced chronic challenges with its water and sanitation systems for years, with frequent interruptions in service that have impacted households and businesses.

According to a notice issued by the municipality, the replacement is being carried out by the City of Harare. Acting town clerk Engineer Phakamile Mabhena Moyo signed the public notice that informed residents of the ongoing work.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts to rehabilitate Harare's water distribution network. Local authorities have periodically undertaken similar pipe replacement projects in different suburbs as funding allows, though the scale of required upgrades across the city remains substantial.

Merlewood Drive is a residential and commercial corridor in the northern part of Harare. The road, renamed ED Mnangagwa Road in recent years, serves as a key route in an area that includes parts of the capital's expanding suburbs.

Residents in Harare often rely on a combination of municipal supplies and private boreholes due to inconsistent service. Pipe replacement projects such as this one are intended to reduce water losses and eventually improve pressure and reliability.

The announcement comes amid ongoing discussions in Zimbabwe about urban infrastructure needs. Harare, like other major cities in the country, continues to grapple with the legacy of underinvestment in public utilities over past decades.

Based on reporting by The Herald Zimbabwe.