Minister speaks on pollution

Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Environment, Water and Climate Minister Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has urged local authorities to jealously guard against pollution of water resources in their respective areas.

Speaking during a visit to Beitbridge recently, Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said it was important for urban councils and residents to work together on sustainable environmental management programmes.

“Harare City Council is battling in treating its water and they are using nine chemicals to purify water for consumption,” she said. Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said pollution levels in Harare have pushed Government to construct new dam.

“Some small towns are lucky to be using two chemicals for water purification. Let’s not take this water for granted. Waste water management should be a top priority for most urban councils,” she said.

The minister said water pollution was detrimental to the urban development adding that access to clean water can easily be reversed if waste management is not prioritised. Beitbridge was one of the fastest growing towns due to its location in sadc’s busiest inland port of entry. She called on the Beitbridge Town Council to upgrade the waste water management facilities in tandem with modern development trends.

“Sewer burst must be timeously attended to avoid pollution and the spread of communicable diseases, such as cholera and typhoid.
“Our environment should be clean for ourselves and future generations. The 2008-9 cholera epidemic remains vivid in our minds,” she said.

In 2008, the Beitbridge town recorded 5 133 cases of cholera.