adminHarare City Council has been slapped with a $100 000 fine for violating the Environmental Management Act by discharging raw effluent into water bodies.
The authority was found guilty for the discharge of about 3 885 mega litres of raw sewage into the city’s main water sources – Lake Chivero, Mkuvisi, Marimba, Ruwa and Nyatsime.
All the five fall under the Manyame catchment area.
A report from the Environmental Management Agency reveals that Harare City Council, whose jurisdiction expands to Chitungwiza, Ruwa and Norton, was presiding over a dilapidated sewage reticulation system.
EMA spokesperson Mr Steady Kangata told The Sunday Mail that Harare City Council continued to violate the Urban Councils and Rural District Councils Act, which mandates local authorities to provide potable water to residents.
He said the agency would not tolerate pollution of water bodies and harsh penalties will be imposed on those caught violating environmental regulations.
“Councils are unlike companies that we can close until they regularise operations, however, most local authorities are the biggest culprits,” Kangata added.
Harare City Council tops the list while Bulawayo City Council comes second, discharging close to 12 mega litres of effluent into Mazai River daily.
Mazai River feeds into Umguza River, which is the main water source in the second largest city.
Apart from municipalities; funeral parlours, food outlets, filling stations and industries also contribute to the pollution of water bodies.
Online Reporter