Harare’s 20,000 boreholes threaten underground water supplies, minister warns

By Agencies

HARARE — The growing concentration of boreholes in Harare is contributing to groundwater depletion, with some wells drying up as residents drill deeper in search of water, Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka has told Parliament.

Speaking during Wednesday’s National Assembly question-and-answer session, Masuka said Harare had more than 20,000 boreholes, placing considerable pressure on underground water reserves.

According to parliamentary proceedings , Masuka said government assessments covering 1980 to 2025 showed that groundwater recharge in Harare remained lower than in other provinces, even during periods of higher rainfall.

“You will note that in Harare, for example, with over 20,000 boreholes and we have analysed from 1980 to about 2025, that even in a higher rainfall year, the underground recharge is much lower compared to other provinces, simply because of the density of boreholes,” Masuka said.

He warned that increasingly deep drilling was contributing to the failure of existing boreholes.

“No wonder why, if you drill a borehole 45 metres, and then your neighbour drills 60 metres, yours is dry; the other does 70 metres, so there is sequential failure of boreholes as a result of this.”

Masuka was responding to Mutare Central MP Brian James, who raised concerns about the destruction of wetlands and its potential effects on groundwater levels and irrigation infrastructure.

The minister said the government had strengthened underground water monitoring in collaboration with the University of Zimbabwe.

“To an extent, we have now instituted a more robust underground water monitoring system with the University of Zimbabwe,” he said.

He added that groundwater management required greater attention because of the country’s dependence on underground water sources.

“So, it is absolutely critical that the management of this resource be approached from a more judicious perspective,” Masuka said.

The warning raises concerns about the sustainability of borehole water supplies in Harare, where continued drilling could place additional pressure on already strained underground reserves.