Severe water pollution continues unabated

08 Jun, 2014 - 00:06 0 Views
Severe water pollution  continues unabated

The Sunday Mail

Ind5Sunday Mail Reporter
At least 1 500 registered companies and numerous small-scale businesses identified as the main polluters of Harare’s drinking water are still contaminating major sources despite a standing directive for them to adopt effective waste disposal methods.Ironically, Harare City Council, whose mandate is to provide potable water to residents, also features prominently on the list of polluters.

Cabinet set up an inter-ministerial committee to identify polluters and find solutions to the problem after observing the high levels of water pollution across the country.

The committee subsequently ordered companies to establish on-site waste pre-treatment plants to regulate the amount of effluent eventually discharged.

It turns out, however, that the pollution is continuing.

Funeral parlours, abattoirs, restaurants, beverage and petroleum companies are among the businesses linked to the massive pollution. Funeral parlours have, however, sought to absolve themselves while the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) has expressed willingness to conform to the requirements.

The business grouping, comprising about 500 companies, held a meeting in Harare last week to discuss pollution prevention and control.

Harare City Council water and sanitation director Engineer Christopher Zvobgo admitted that the local authority was also to blame.

The council reportedly discharges 3 885 megalitres of raw sewage into water sources daily.

In recent times, the Environmental Management Agency (Ema) has been criticised for failing to impose deterrent penalties.

Fines for pollution vary, but in the past offending city councils have been asked to pay as little as US$1 000.

Eng Zvobgo said existing legislation should be tightened.

“Council has always been aware of the water pollution challenges in the catchment (area). Council has a trade waste inspectorate, which monitors industrial discharges into sewers and the environment,” said Eng Zvobgo.

“About 1 500 companies are registered on the council database; these are monitored and fines are raised for non-compliance (in waste management).

“There has also been an increase in the number of informal businesses that are not registered with the city, yet their processes also lead to pollution.

“Admittedly, council has contributed in a major way to pollution of the water sources due to its failing waste water management infrastructure.”

Responding to inquiries from The Sunday Mail Extra last week, CZI president Mr Charles Msipa said the business grouping was equally concerned about pollution.

“CZI has had consultations with its members on the matter of water pollution facilitated by its Infrastructure and Development Committee.
“CZI and its members fully endorse pollution prevention and control as key aspects of sustainable business practices and is committed to playing its part in reducing industrial waste that contributes towards water pollution, as well as continuing collaboration with other key agents (Environmental Management Agency) and local authorities in mitigating industrial waste that contributes to pollution.

“CZI also recognises that a significant portion of manufacturing companies across all industries have systems and facilities in place for pollution control.”

 

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