The current interminttently bursts of sewer pipes and leakages are contaminating Dutchman’s Pool, the only drinking water reservoir in the City of Kwekwe, blowing all chances that Kwekwe has the safest and cleanest water in Zimbabwe.Does Kwekwe council still providing drinking water safe for human consumption? According to reliable sources within the city council Engineering and Health departments, the churning out of raw sewer into the main water body is affecting the quality of drinking water in the city.
“A health time bomb is evident and ready to explode in Kwekwe as sewage streams continue to flow into the main water body, Sebakwe River. A burst water pipe stretching along Dutchman’s Pool has been discharging raw affluent into Sebakwe river, where most of the drinking water for the city comes from. Something needs to be done to bring the situation from blowing out of control. The council should take it as a priority and rehabilitation of the entire sewer system taken into account ‘, said council official.
Environmental Management Agency official said despite efforts undertaken to bring the situation to normalcy, the community in Kwekwe needs to take a leading role and refrain from vandalizing sewer pipes and throwing heavy substances into the sewer system The broken down sewer pipes are discharging affluent direct into the water source thereby contaminating Dutchman’s Pool. The official further said that residents in Mbizo and Kwekwe Central are at risk of contaminating water borne diseases if the problem of bursting of sewer pipes is not addressed and given top priority it deserves as human waste is now floating on top of the water which is consumed by residents in Kwekwe. Also illegal gold banners are contributing significantly in demaging sewer pipes as they still believe that sewer water has high affinity in attracting gold nuggets when panning for the precious metal.
Meanwhile residents near Fitchlea Primary school in Kwekwe are living in an uncompromising manner as sewer dams are now ‘manifesting’ as raw sewer is now flowing openly, filling up pits around the open area near the school.
“It is a matter of time before a major disease outbreak hits Kwekwe. If the raw sewer continues to flow unbated into the main water system as the City of Kwekwe engineers health officials and the entire council remain clueless on the way forward and find lasting solution to this looming disaster. Kwekwe residents are in for a fix. The entire sewer system needs upgrading now”, said Tamuka Sibindi, a Fitchlea resident.
