adminNqobile Tshili Chronicle Reporter
EIGHT Bulawayo companies fingered in the pollution of the city’s dams by discharging raw affluent have started implementing measures to reduce emissions in line with the government’s directive.
The Bulawayo City Council is said to be the major culprit and together with eight other firms are reportedly releasing 35 million litres of raw effluent into Umguza catchment per year.
The companies include Delta Beverages, Schweppes, Ingwebu Breweries, Colcom, CSC, Treger Kango and United Refineries.
Last week, the government ordered companies to come up with strategies of reversing the trend by June 30, or face closure.
The Deputy Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Cde Joel Biggie Matiza was in Bulawayo yesterday where he held a meeting with executives of the polluting companies.
He together with officials from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) later visited the companies to get first hand information on their operations.
Cde Matiza told Chronicle that he was happy with progress made so far by the companies to reduce pollution.
“We had a meeting with the companies’ executives and I’m happy they are responding to our directive.
“They will be having regular meetings with our officials where they will give us updates on progress,” he said.
Cde Matiza said that firms that fail to meet the government’s deadline risk being closed.
Bulawayo City Council and the companies are reportedly dumping phosphates, ammonia and nitrates into drinking water.
The pollution issue has raised health concerns as it may lead to serious child diseases and cancers in adults.
Council said it needs slightly over $13 million to purify the water.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu