By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Property owners in Rusape are now required to pay a US$20 certification fee prior to installing water tank stands, following new regulations implemented by the Rusape Town Council.
In a statement, the council explained that the policy aims to prevent the use of substandard tank stands, which pose safety risks to residents and infrastructure.
“ The proliferation of substandard water tank stands which are posing a great risk to the inhabitants, infrastructure and community in general. It is against this background that Rusape Town Council has introduced a new policy to regulate the installation of water tank stands within its area of jurisdiction,” the statement reads.
The new rules apply specifically to larger water tanks. Tanks with a capacity of 5,000 litres or more must be certified, regardless of the height of the stand. Smaller tanks, with a capacity of 1,000 litres or more, will require certification only if the stand is at least two meters high.
“All water storage tanks with a capacity of 5000 litres or more, no matter how high the stand is, must be certified. Water storage tanks with a capacity of 1000 litres or more must be certified if the tank stand is two metres or more above ground level,” the statement further reads.
For tank stands installed before the policy came into effect, property owners must have their structures certified by May 31, 2025.
The council further encourages residents to hire qualified structural engineers to inspect and approve their tank stands. The council warned that failure to comply with these regulations will result in unspecified penalties or other enforcement actions.