Online Reporter
THE City of Harare has urged residents to desist from dumping solid waste in sewer lines as this is causing massive and recurring blockages of sewer pipes.
In addition, Harare is encouraging residents to stop using sand to do dishes as this is also leading to sewer blockages. City Department of Water Engineer Simon Muserere addressed residents urging them to take care of their sewer systems.
“We are urging residents to use a team work aproach where they desist from throwing in rugs, utensils, sand and kitchen utensils which have low water volumes,” he said.
He encouraged residents to use a lot of water equivalent to that in their toilet tanks after using the toilet to guarantee smooth flow in the pipes.
He noted that a small amount of water being used by residents in the toilets is also contributing as it is not enough to create smooth flow in the sewer pipes.
“So this is the issue that is troubling us and we have seen a significant rise in sewer blockages all around the city and it has now extended to the low density areas which is a major concern,” said Eng Muserere.
He said residents should be cautious and responsible in their waste disposal habits to prevent further sewer blockages and ensure a smooth-flowing system. In the past weeks, there have been several sewer leakages in Mbare and during repairs, the City of Harare teams extracted blankets, scrap metal, clothes, rags and even cowhides (matehwe emombe).During repairs, it was discovered that most cast irons on manhole covers in Mbare were stolen and melted to make three legged pots which are then sold to residents.
In Glen View, where there was a major sewer leakage recently, the City of Harare teams had to extract tonnes of sand which is used by people to wash dishes.
The sand had blocked the sewer lines.The City of Harare teams regularly take out spoons, folks and even kitchen knives from sewer lines. In Kuwadzana recently, City of Harare workers extracted a dog carcass from a manhole.
