Bulawayo’s
ongoing
water
shedding
and
relentless
pipe
bursts
are
not
only
depriving
residents
of
consistent
water
access
but
have
also
led
to
serious
water
contamination,
endangering
public
health.
The
latest
council
minutes
disclose
disturbing
test
results
from
the
Bulawayo
City
Council
(BCC),
revealing
that
over
half
of
the
water
samples
tested
show
contamination
with
feacal
coliforms
–
direct
indicator
of
feacal
pollution.
Council
tests
revealed
that
52
percent
of
borehole
water
samples
and
a
staggering
56
percent
of
randomly
collected
samples
contained
feacal
coliforms.
This
contamination
signals
the
presence
of
human
and
animal
waste
in
the
water
supply,
which
poses
severe
health
risks,
including
heightened
susceptibility
to
waterborne
diseases.
Recently,
residents
in
Lobengula
reported
that
tap
water
has
developed
a
foul,
sewer-like
smell,
underscoring
a
growing
crisis
linked
to
persistent
sewer
bursts
in
the
area.
Their
concerns
point
to
a
systemic
failure,
as
aging
infrastructure
continues
to
rupture,
allowing
untreated
sewage
to
seep
into
the
water
supply.
This
contamination
crisis
highlights
a
dire
public
health
threat
in
Bulawayo,
with
residents
forced
to
rely
on
water
that
may
be
unsafe.
Areas
with
water
samples
that
tested
positive
for
feacal
coliforms
are
Pumula
North
Butchery,
Cresta
Churchill
Hotel,
Mganwini
School,
Emganwini
Shops,
Godlwayo
School,
Ngwalongwalo
School,
Choppies
Bellevue,
Roads
Yard,
King
George
VI
Home,
Holiday
Inn
Hotel,
Petra
College,
Waterford
Shops.
“The
city
experienced
water
supply
interruptions
to
all
areas
save
for
Central
Business District
and
Industry
due
to
low
reservoir
levels
during
the
month.
39
institutional
boreholes
in
high-density
areas
were
sampled.
78
samples
were
collected-39
for
bacteriological
analysis
and
39
for
chemical
analysis.
Results
for
33
of
the
samples
were
received
and
17
(which
is
52
percent)
had
unsatisfactory
results,”
the
minutes
read.
Ward
29
Councillor,
Royini
Sekete
inquired
if
the
city
council
had
taken
any
action
to
protect
residents
in
affected
areas,
citing
that
residents
had
to
be
educated
about
water
results.
In
response,
the
minutes
stated,
Senior
Divisional
Environmental
Health
Officer,
Sikhanyisile
Sibanda,
explained
that
the
council
was
working
with
partners
in
the
distribution
of
Chlorine
based
products.
“Water
testing
was
done
on
various
testing
points
all
over
the
city
and
the
samples
were
taken
to
the
Laboratory.
Contamination
was
caused
by
long
hours
of
water
shedding
and
pipe
bursts.
Council
was
working
with
partners
in
the
distribution
of
Chlorine
based
products,”
the
minutes
read.
“Areas
including
Pumula,
Nkulumane
and
Luveve
had
been
covered.
There
were
contaminated
boreholes
and
the
borehole
Committees
had
been
advised
accordingly
of
their
borehole
status.
Residents
are
encouraged
to
boil
their
water
before
consumption.
Council
has
also
received
a
donation
from
an
N.G.O
which
wanted
to
install
online
Chlorinators
next
to
boreholes.”