News / Regional
Zinwa claims that Gwanda water safe
17 Dec 2010 at 17:47hrs | Views
THE Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) yesterday assured Gwanda residents that the water the town is being supplied with is safe and meets World Health Organisation (WHO) standards.
In a statement yesterday, Umzingwane acting catchment manager Mr Stanley Nazombe said the water supplied was in line with parameters of the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ).
"The most recent analytical results of treated water from an independent laboratory showed that the water had no cyanide," said Mr Nazombe.
He said it was confirmed that raw water was contaminated and the authority was taking necessary steps to protect the lives of the people.
"While there was confirmed contamination of the raw water which was a result of over flows from dams at Vumbachikwe Mine reasonable steps were taken.
"These were through introducing more water treatment stages like pre-chlorination, pre-conditioning and post conditioning," said Mr Nazombe.
He said routine visits to Gwanda from November to date indicate that there is a reduction in polluted water due to the dilution effect of the rains.
"Water samples collected from Mtshabezi River which is the source of Gwanda show a progressive reduction in the levels of cyanide.
"The authority also wishes to advise the public that the contamination of water has nothing to do with Zinwa's capacity to deliver clean water to the town," said Mr Nazombe.
He said recent utterances by residents and the leadership of Gwanda that the contamination of the water was as a result of Zinwa's capacity to deliver clean water were unfortunate and unfounded.
"Zinwa has the capacity to deliver clean water and is doing all it can to ensure consistent and sustained delivery of clean water to the town," said Nazombe.
He urged residents and other consumers to pay their bills so that water treatment operations could be sustained.
The residents of Gwanda have resorted to buying bottled water following reports that the town's water is polluted with cyanide and magnesium.
In a statement yesterday, Umzingwane acting catchment manager Mr Stanley Nazombe said the water supplied was in line with parameters of the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ).
"The most recent analytical results of treated water from an independent laboratory showed that the water had no cyanide," said Mr Nazombe.
He said it was confirmed that raw water was contaminated and the authority was taking necessary steps to protect the lives of the people.
"While there was confirmed contamination of the raw water which was a result of over flows from dams at Vumbachikwe Mine reasonable steps were taken.
"These were through introducing more water treatment stages like pre-chlorination, pre-conditioning and post conditioning," said Mr Nazombe.
He said routine visits to Gwanda from November to date indicate that there is a reduction in polluted water due to the dilution effect of the rains.
"Water samples collected from Mtshabezi River which is the source of Gwanda show a progressive reduction in the levels of cyanide.
"The authority also wishes to advise the public that the contamination of water has nothing to do with Zinwa's capacity to deliver clean water to the town," said Mr Nazombe.
He said recent utterances by residents and the leadership of Gwanda that the contamination of the water was as a result of Zinwa's capacity to deliver clean water were unfortunate and unfounded.
"Zinwa has the capacity to deliver clean water and is doing all it can to ensure consistent and sustained delivery of clean water to the town," said Nazombe.
He urged residents and other consumers to pay their bills so that water treatment operations could be sustained.
The residents of Gwanda have resorted to buying bottled water following reports that the town's water is polluted with cyanide and magnesium.
Source - Bulawayo
