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Environment and Natural Resources Management Francis Nhema has revealed.
Minister Nhema was speaking while officially launching the Zimbabwe Environmental Journalists Association in Vumba last Thursday.
Minister Nhema said according to laboratory tests done by the Environmental Management Agency in August, most water bottling firms had failed to meet the World Health Organisation safety standards.
“Out of the 15 registered water bottling companies in the country, only four managed to meet WHO safety standards and this is the sum effect of environmental degradation,” he said.
“Some of the bottled water is drawn straight from springs dotted across the country and the effect of man’s activities including use of various chemical and disturbing the ecosystem which has affected the natural purification process.”
Minister Nhema could not divulge the identity of the 11 companies that failed to meet the safety standards.
However, information gathered revealed that Schweppes and Tanganda Tea Company were among the companies that met the standards.
Asked what would happen to the companies that failed to meet the standard, the minister said the tests were conducted regularly and that the companies should rectify the problem to meet the recommended standards.
“We can’t take action now because the tests are conducted regularly and by the time we conduct the next tests they should have rectified the problem,” said Cde Nhema.
“We are talking of tests that were conducted last month (August).”
Turning to the massive environmental degradation in Vumba, which was once celebrated for its fauna, flora, leopards and beautiful mountains as well as adorable weather, the minister said the challenges started at the individual level.
He urged journalists and other stakeholders to find ways of educating communities, especially in remote areas where media are not accessible, to preserve the environment. Most people, particularly in urban areas, are now buying bottled water for drinking purposes because tap water by local authorities, although certified as safe to drink, is widely believed not to be safe for human consumption.
Major cities in Zimbabwe have been facing intermittent water problems with Harare and its satellite towns of Ruwa, Chitungwiza, Norton and Epworth managing to produce a mere 650 mega-litres of water against a demand of 1 400 mega litres per day.
This is coupled with high water purification costs that have made water availability a major challenge.
As a result, most residents are now relying on bottled water, creating demand that has seen the mushrooming of bottling companies.
There have been several reports that some companies were taking advantage of the demand and bottling unpurified tapped water. Bottled water costs between US$0,45 and US$1 for a 500ml bottle.
Online Reporter