Chronicle Editor
Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has raised alarm over water contamination in the city after testing 43 samples from suburbs, schools, businesses, and hotels.
More than half of the samples failed to meet bacteriological standards, highlighting potential health risks for residents.
According to the latest council minutes, the water samples were analysed by the city’s Criterion Laboratory under the Department of Health Services. The findings were presented on October 3 by the BCC’s director of health services, Dr Edwin Mzingwane revealing widespread contamination in schools, businesses, and even high-end hotels.
“On 3 October, the BCC’s director of health services presented the findings where schools such as Petra College in Selbourne Park, Godlwayo Primary School in Pumula Old suburb and Ingwegwe Primary School in Pumula East’s water analysis were flagged,” read council minutes.
The results were categorised into three key parameters: faecal coliforms, non-faecal coliforms and high plate count.
Under faecal coliforms, bacteria indicative of contamination from human or animal waste were detected in several locations. Schools such as Petra College in Selbourne Park, Godlwayo Primary School in Pumula Old, and Ingwegwe Primary School in Pumula East were flagged.
Top hotels, including the Holiday Inn and Cresta Churchill Hotel, were also found to have compromised water quality. Under non-faecal coliforms, sites such as Emganwini Primary School, Petra College, and Waterford Shops were flagged for non-faecal bacterial contamination.
A high heterotrophic plate count (HPC), indicating potential water quality issues, was detected at locations including King George VI Home, Steeldale Brewery, and Theological College.
Overall, 54 percent of the samples were deemed unsatisfactory, prompting concerns over water safety in the city.
“Forty-three water samples were collected and sent to Criterion laboratory for bacteriological analysis and 54 percent samples had unsatisfactory results,” reads BCC’s latest council minutes.
The contamination extended to additional sites, including Pumula North Butchery, Choppies Bellevue, Zesa premises, Pumula South Clinic, Nkulumane Country Rank and Greenfield School.
The BCC also received a complaint about insecticide-contaminated sausages sold at an illegal outlet in the Kelvin West Industrial area. However, no samples were sent for analysis due to a lack of local testing facilities for pesticides.
Additionally, five pasteurised milk samples collected from a local dairy company were tested, with two found to be unsatisfactory.
The environmental health officer was directed to investigate and implement corrective measures.
“Two of the samples were found unsatisfactory. The area environmental health officer was advised to investigate the cause and put corrective measures,” read council minutes.
The council urged businesses and institutions to ensure compliance with water quality standards and address any contamination issues promptly.
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