adminNqobile Tshili Chronicle Reporter
THE Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has banned villagers living along Umguza River from sinking wells and using water from such sources saying the water table along the river contained toxic chemicals.
A month ago, a government report revealed that the Bulawayo City Council and eight other companies were discharging 35 million litres of raw effluent into Umguza catchment per year.
The government reacted swiftly and ordered the concerned companies to come up with strategies of reversing the trend by June 30, or face closure.
EMA’s head in Matabeleland North Chipo Zuze-Mpofu yesterday said tests conducted on wells along the river revealed that water sources contained chromium chemical, which is a threat to people’s health.
“Some of the wells have high levels of chromium, which can cause lung cancer, breathing problems, skin diseases and can lead to sudden deaths. Yesterday we closed two wells and urged people who draw water from them to use alternative sources,” said Zuze-Mpofu.
She said the water from the wells should not be used for any domestic purposes.
“This water is not suitable for any household purposes be it bathing, drinking and even watering plants,” she said adding, “even after boiling the water it remains unsuitable.”
Meanwhile, Matabeleland North provincial administrator Latiso Dlamini expressed concern over the matter and said her office was taking the issue seriosuly.
“We are sourcing for funds to assist these affected people. We expect to use resources from the community share ownership scheme to fund the drilling of boreholes,” she said.
Dlamini said companies which were fingered in the pollution of Umguza River should also assist in providing alternative sources of water to the affected communities.
“We have Zinwa boreholes where people could fetch water from even though some of them are very far from the people,” she said.
Dlamini said her office will soon launch a campaign to warn residents against using water from the condemned wells.
derick.khumalo