BCC calls on EMA to waive further fines for discharging raw sewage into water bodies

THE Bulawayo City Council, which has failed to fulfill an order issued in 2010 to stop discharging raw sewage into  water bodies, has called on the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) to waive further fines for the offence.

The local authority was fined $10 000 in 2010 and last year for discharging raw sewage into  water bodies.

Most of the effluent finds its way into Umguza River while some of it is a potential breeding ground for diseases within the city.

In an interview on Monday, Bulawayo Mayor Councillor Thaba Moyo said the city was appealing to EMA to stop issuing fines so that it could raise money to address the problem.

According to the latest council report, laboratory tests carried out by council on its sewage effluent revealed that it was still unsuitable for discharge into the environment.

It is also shown in the report that industrial effluent, which can corrode municipal sewers, was also not up to standard.

"A total of 82 sewage effluent samples from municipal treatment plants were tested during the month of February 2013 to assess suitability for discharge to the environment. Virtually all the sewage treatment plants produced effluent that was polluting  the environment due to dilapidated infrastructure at almost all the works," read the report.

Commenting on the report, Clr Moyo said council would never be able to solve the problem at the present rate of revenue collection, which he said was below 35 percent.

"The issue of effluent can never be rectified until the economy starts performing better. Once it gets back on its feet, we can then expect a complete solution," said Clr Moyo.

He said the solution lay in EMA being a partner in clearing raw sewage from the environment.

"Fining us results in council using the little that it has to pay the fines. Instead, this money could be used to rehabilitate some of the sewer treatment plants so that we slowly solve the problem," said Clr Moyo.

He said the city had entered into a partnership with the Australian government, World Vision (Zimbabwe) and Dabane Trust to implement the Bulawayo Water and Sanitation Emergency Response (Bowser) project, designed to deal with the problem.

"We are making progress, but it is not enough. Bowser has assisted us to virtually eliminate sewer bursts from within the city. We call on EMA to recognise our efforts and ease the pressure on fines," said Clr Moyo.

Contacted for comment, EMA publicity and education officer Mr Steady Kangata said EMA was not in a position to waive fines on environmental crimes.

"While we appreciate council's efforts, as a regulatory authority, we have to issue fines as per our mandate to safeguard the environment. It is unfortunate that there can be no shortcuts where the environment is concerned because if not attended to, environmental crimes can result in people dying. We cannot neglect the environment because it is key to people's survival," said Mr Kangata.

He said EMA was a partner that was always willing to give advice and work with any organisation on issues pertaining to the environment.

Mr Kangata encouraged local authorities to enter into partnerships with private players and communities to raise needed finance for infrastructural rehabilitation.

"Local authorities should be innovative and engage in Private Public and Community Partnerships PPCPs to initiate positive development. They cannot shoulder the burden of rehabilitating infrastructure on their own," he said.