Surface water: Agriculture, Mining and Urban raw water supply

Groundwater: Urban domestic consumption, Industrial, Institutional, Mining and Agriculture.
What is the structure of the Upper Ruya Groundwater programme?

The Upper Ruya Groundwater management programme is being implemented using an incremental, one-block-at-a-time approach. The programme has in the past focused mainly on the 1st phase, which was primarily data gathering. The outline of the phases of the programme is as below:

Water Use Application Procedures

As governed by the legislative laws of Zimbabwe, all surface and groundwater use must be registered.

Groundwater use application/registration procedures

1. A stakeholder intending to have a groundwater source at their property must consult the Subcatchment council for authority to drill.
2. Stakeholders applying for an authority to drill can be granted or rejected as not all areas are permitted to have groundwater sources. The applicant will fill out a GW1 form which can be obtained at our offices. Attach a Site Report then submit them at our offices. Application fees apply.
3. After the successful drilling of a borehole, stakeholders should then apply for an abstraction permit. The applicant is required to complete a GW4 form. This should be obtained, filled and submitted at Subcatchment Council offices together with a photocopy of your proof of ownership of the property for which the permit is being applied.
4. To better understand the hydrogeology of the Subcatchment council the stakeholders are expected to submit drilling reports after completion of the drilling process.

Surface Water application

1. A stakeholder intending to abstract or divert any surface water from a nearby stream, river, lake for any purposes (e.g. agriculture, construction, sand mining) must consult the Subcatchment Council for authorisation and permit processing.
2. The applicant is required to write a letter to the Subcatchment stating where one wants to abstract water, the intended use, how long one intends to abstract and (the volumes required) before an inspection by the council’s officials at the proposed site.
3. If the site is feasible the applicant will be advised to proceed with their application and be given the appropriate surface water abstraction form.