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Nozibelo Maphosa, Sunday News Reporter
THE Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has raised concerns over the delay by Bulawayo City Council to rehabilitate the Sauerstown sewer system.
Last year EMA threatened to drag the local authority to court over allegations of polluting the Umguza River. Water sources along Umguza river basin were condoned off after it was discovered that it contained high contents of arsenic, chromium, sodium chloride, organic solids, dyes and paints, some toxic substance that reportedly leads to physical deformities, dullness and death in humans and livestock while agricultural products were also contaminated.
The local authority and some companies such as United Refineries, Ingwebu, Delta Corporation, tanneries and funeral parlours were fingered in polluting Umguza water as they discharge sewage and industrial chemicals into streams that are Umguza River’s tributaries.
EMA provincial manager for Bulawayo Mr Discent Ndlovu said the council was given $12,8 million for the project and they started working on the sewer pipe but up to the work has not been completed.
“The council already has the money and they have been working on the blockage, even after we threatened to take them to court. The Sauerstown pipeline remains incomplete and that is a worry. The pipeline is an environment hazard and it pollutes the area and the place is slowly becoming dangerous because the pits are filling with water since it is raining and this is dangerous to children,” he said.
Bulawayo Mayor Councillor Martin Moyo said the council was working on the pipeline.
“I do not know what is holding the construction, but the important thing is that we are working on it and we are hoping to finish it off as soon as possible, it’s just that the rains are slowing us down. This is a huge project and it cannot be completed in a day, but the pipeline from Marvel to Aiselby Farm has been completed, we are doing everything possible to remove the spillage into Umguza River,” he said.
Spillage in to the river started after the Mahatshula to Queensdale outfall sewer pipe collapsed resulting in the waste being deposited in Umguza river.
Discharge from collapsed pipe has been causing environmental problems for people living downstream of the river.
Rehabilitation of the pipe falls under the effluent management and rehabilitation works that are undergoing in Sauerstown, Mahatshula and Aiselby.
@maphosanozibelo
Online Reporter