By Staff Reporter
HARARE – The City of Harare says it will recover costs from both a borehole drilling company and a homeowner after a drilling operation ruptured a major municipal water pipe, causing a significant water leak and loss of treated water.
Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume said the council would hold the parties responsible for the damage, accusing them of failing to seek the necessary approvals before commencing drilling works.
“We will bill this borehole company and the house owner to the extent of the damage and loss,” Mafume said.
He said the incident highlighted the importance of residents consulting the local authority before drilling boreholes to avoid damaging underground infrastructure.
“How do you site a borehole over municipal water? This is the reason why we ask you to come to council first before drilling,” he said.
Mafume warned that the consequences could have been even more severe had the drilling operation struck a sewer line.
“Imagine if this was over a sewer pipe,” he added.
Videos circulating on social media showed water gushing high into the air after the underground pipeline was struck, prompting emergency response efforts by city authorities.
The council has not yet disclosed the cost of repairs or the value of the water lost as a result of the incident.
Efforts are underway to assess the full extent of the damage while investigations into the circumstances surrounding the drilling operation continue.
