Zinwa took over control of water and sewer administration in most towns across the country following a Government directive 12 years ago resulting in a battle the Hwange Local Board (HLB) and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) on who should attend to the broken down sewer reticulation plant. As a result, raw effluent being discharged into Deka River and Kalope Dam which are sources of drinking water for the communities of St Mary’s and Mashala. HLB was prepared to accept the sewer infrastructure back only if Zinwa handed over water administration of the town as well arguing that the revenue from the water administration would assist in the maintenance of the sewer plant. However, the water authority was not prepared to do so hence the continued impasse. This resulted in HLB neglecting the sewer infrastructure which eventually led to recurrent sewer pipe bursts spewing raw sewage into the streets and streams. 7/2016, the matter is in the courts with no resolution.