News / National
Harare water unsafe for human consumption
30 Mar 2011 at 09:25hrs | Views
A University of Zimbabwe researcher, Professor Chris Magadza, has said treated water supplied to Harare residents does not meet minimum World Health Organisation standards.
Prof Magadza was speaking at Eco-Schools World Water Day commemorations at Haka Game Park last week.
"Clinical studies carried out on Harare's water supplies and results obtained revealed that Harare's water bodies carry a significant amount of pollutants which pause a potential health risk.
"The catchment water supply for Chivero is swiftly decreasing, making Harare increasingly reliant on recycled sewage.
"The water table for Harare has sunk from 15 to 30 metres within the last decade," Prof Magadza said.
He said lakes Chivero and Manyame were heavily polluted, hence urgent need for education on the importance of wetlands in the purification of water.
He said wetlands were the only option for intercepting pollutants and purifying streams and runoff.
"These wetlands can remove as much as 200 to 250 measures of phosphorus per hectare in the rainy season, thus a hectare of wetland can provide the same services as a water treatment plant without any cost.
"It is sad to note that a number of people are getting residential or commercial stands on wetlands thus disturbing the system," he said.
Mabvuku/Tafara district education officer Mr Nelson Kapisa said school children play a pivotal role in conserving biological resources and the Eco-Schools Programme was one such way they could assist.
"The programme aims to achieve sustainable environmental management by integrating child participation in environmental conservation," he said.
Eco-Schools Programme manager, Mr Allain Chimanikire, added: "It provides a hands-on participatory approach to environmental learning for schools and we are happy that we have over 100 schools participating."
Mr Chimanikire said the programme is being practiced in about 48 countries with Zimbabwe being one of only three in Africa.
This year's commemorations ran under the theme "Water for cities: Responding to the urban challenge".
Prof Magadza was speaking at Eco-Schools World Water Day commemorations at Haka Game Park last week.
"Clinical studies carried out on Harare's water supplies and results obtained revealed that Harare's water bodies carry a significant amount of pollutants which pause a potential health risk.
"The catchment water supply for Chivero is swiftly decreasing, making Harare increasingly reliant on recycled sewage.
"The water table for Harare has sunk from 15 to 30 metres within the last decade," Prof Magadza said.
He said lakes Chivero and Manyame were heavily polluted, hence urgent need for education on the importance of wetlands in the purification of water.
He said wetlands were the only option for intercepting pollutants and purifying streams and runoff.
"These wetlands can remove as much as 200 to 250 measures of phosphorus per hectare in the rainy season, thus a hectare of wetland can provide the same services as a water treatment plant without any cost.
"It is sad to note that a number of people are getting residential or commercial stands on wetlands thus disturbing the system," he said.
Mabvuku/Tafara district education officer Mr Nelson Kapisa said school children play a pivotal role in conserving biological resources and the Eco-Schools Programme was one such way they could assist.
"The programme aims to achieve sustainable environmental management by integrating child participation in environmental conservation," he said.
Eco-Schools Programme manager, Mr Allain Chimanikire, added: "It provides a hands-on participatory approach to environmental learning for schools and we are happy that we have over 100 schools participating."
Mr Chimanikire said the programme is being practiced in about 48 countries with Zimbabwe being one of only three in Africa.
This year's commemorations ran under the theme "Water for cities: Responding to the urban challenge".
Source - Byo24News
