City of Masvingo (Wells and Boreholes) By-laws, 2025
Drilling a borehole in Masvingo now needs a council permit costing US$350 plus a US$10 application, with ZINWA and catchment council approval — and drilling without one costs US$2 000.
These by-laws apply to all public and private wells and boreholes in the City of Masvingo area.
Anyone wanting to dig a well or drill a borehole must apply to the council for a permit and pay the prescribed fee, and the application must carry written approval from the relevant Catchment Council and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority. Drilling companies may not operate in the area without a council permit. Drilling is allowed between 8am and 5pm, with permission required for other hours.
Siting needs council approval: no well or borehole may be down-slope of an ablution facility, no well may be used without a proper lid, and only a steel wire rope may be used to draw water.
Public wells and boreholes may not be upgraded without council approval or for personal benefit, and any upgrade producing a reticulated system must include public taps at convenient points. The council handles major repairs and routine maintenance, each water point must have a registered water point committee, no one else may repair a public well or borehole, and a rehabilitated source may not be used until the council commissions it after water quality testing.
Public water is for domestic use. Watering livestock needs council approval, and washing clothes, vehicles or utensils and bathing at the source are prohibited, as is irrigation without approval.
Fees are US$10 to apply, whether an individual, company or contractor, US$350 for the drilling permit and US$30 for a drilling time extension. Penalties are US$2 000 for drilling a borehole or constructing a weir without council approval and the same for a contractor drilling without a permit, US$1 000 for siting a borehole in an unauthorised place, US$200 for drilling outside authorised hours, US$100 for obstructing an official, and US$50 each for digging a well without approval, siting a well wrongly, selling water from a community borehole, unauthorised repair and vandalising a community borehole.
What changed
- A council permit is required to dig a well or drill a borehole, supported by catchment council and ZINWA approval
- Drilling permit costs US$350, application US$10 and a time extension US$30
- Drilling is confined to 8am–5pm unless the council permits otherwise
- Drilling without approval, or a contractor drilling without a permit, costs US$2 000; wrong siting of a borehole US$1 000
- Selling water from a community borehole, unauthorised repairs and vandalism each carry US$50
Who this affects
- Households and businesses drilling boreholes in Masvingo
- Borehole drilling contractors
- Water point committees managing community boreholes
- Residents relying on public wells and boreholes
Plain-language summary — not legal advice. Always read the full instrument.