News / National
'Fertiliser company polluting water-table' in Harare
02 Aug 2012 at 05:42hrs | Views
Residents living in Masasa Park and Park Meadowlands have raised concern over water pollution by a local fertilizer producing company in the area which they say has affected their water-table and posing a serious threat to their health.
Water challenges have become a daily challenge for residents living in Masasa Park as the residents say the Harare City Council has failed to provide normal distribution of water.
Despite finding an alternative in sinking boreholes the water challenges are far from finish as residents have discovered that their water-table seem to have been contaminated with chemicals from the nearby fertilizer producing company ZimPhos.
ZimPhos General Manager, Mr Tapiwa Mashingaidze said they are aware of the problem which started as early as the 1950's when the fertilizer company was established.
Mr Mashingaidze said his company is working closely with the Environmental Management Agency in controlling the pollution.
Environmental Management Authority, (EMA) organisation's Education and Publicity Manager, Mr Steady Kangata however said his office is not aware of the problem.
This has left many residents wondering whether EMA is doing justice to their plight as the issue has been reported several times.
Investigations by ZBC News reveal that ZimPhos has already taken safety precautions for its employees by sourcing water from Cleveland dam.
The waste chemicals from this dumpsite have traces of floride, sulphate and phosphates which continue to contaminate the water-table through seepage especially during the rainy season.
The cleaning up of the water-table can take more than 10 years.
Residents say ZimPhos and the Harare City Council must provide them with their right of having access to clean water.
The residents say they now live in fear as they health might be in great danger.
They say responsible authorities must address the issue as the water pollution might spread to other surrounding areas.
Water challenges have become a daily challenge for residents living in Masasa Park as the residents say the Harare City Council has failed to provide normal distribution of water.
Despite finding an alternative in sinking boreholes the water challenges are far from finish as residents have discovered that their water-table seem to have been contaminated with chemicals from the nearby fertilizer producing company ZimPhos.
ZimPhos General Manager, Mr Tapiwa Mashingaidze said they are aware of the problem which started as early as the 1950's when the fertilizer company was established.
Mr Mashingaidze said his company is working closely with the Environmental Management Agency in controlling the pollution.
Environmental Management Authority, (EMA) organisation's Education and Publicity Manager, Mr Steady Kangata however said his office is not aware of the problem.
This has left many residents wondering whether EMA is doing justice to their plight as the issue has been reported several times.
Investigations by ZBC News reveal that ZimPhos has already taken safety precautions for its employees by sourcing water from Cleveland dam.
The waste chemicals from this dumpsite have traces of floride, sulphate and phosphates which continue to contaminate the water-table through seepage especially during the rainy season.
The cleaning up of the water-table can take more than 10 years.
Residents say ZimPhos and the Harare City Council must provide them with their right of having access to clean water.
The residents say they now live in fear as they health might be in great danger.
They say responsible authorities must address the issue as the water pollution might spread to other surrounding areas.
Source - Zbc
