The Sunday Mail
Tariro Charandura
THE Zimbabwe National Water Authority is yet to determine the safety of underground water for human consumption, more than a month after random samples from Harare showed contamination.
Samples obtained from various suburbs in Harare tested positive for Escherichia Coli (E. Coli), which causes waterborne diseases like diarrohoea, cholera and typhoid.
The Sunday Mail understands that the water authority missed its February 25 deadline to conclude testing the safety of the country’s underground water for human consumption.
In a response to questions, Zinwa public relations officer Mrs Marjorie Munyonga said teams from the water authority were still conducting their tests.
“The national borehole testing is still going on with the testing team still out in the field,” she said. “Once the exercise gets completed, the authority will communicate its findings to the relevant stakeholders including the media.”
Mrs Munyonga last month said the authority would conduct water testing countrywide between February 10 and 25, with the major focus being Harare.
She said the programme was aimed at updating the nation on the status of underground water quality.
Many Harare residents use borehole water for cooking and drinking amid fears potable water provided by the municipality is not safe. The capital city’s authorities have been battling to provide a constant supply of clean water citing aged equipment and high costs of purification.
