The Zimbabwe sewer system under
threat
By
Mbizo Chirasha- Coordinator Female Poets
for the environment
17th
of February 2013
Since independence in 1980 our infrastructure
in Zimbabwe has not been repaired. Mostly in high density suburbs of Mbare, Highfeilds,
Mabvuku and Epworth where population growth is rife. Typhoid and Cholera
outbreaks are rampant threatening people’s lives. Municipal authorities have
failed the general populace. Water sources near by have been the receiving end
of sewer effluent causing a vicious circle of domestic and environment threat.
Children are seen swimming in dams of stagnant sewer sources caused by bursting
toilets and old pipes. Old township suburbs have an eye sore during this
previous rainy season. The other damaging factor is that the City authorities
are not pumping enough water for sanitation purposes due shortage of water treatment
chemicals that have since hit the country since ten years ago. The same little
untreated water is a health hazard due to uncleanness. These factors have
resulted into Environmental and water pollution in this country. Female poets
for the environment is organizing a
poetry writing contest and performances campaign on Clean water and safe environment
in the high-density suburbs schools in March 2013.This hands on Campaign will
send a clear message to the authorities and the communities to take care of their
environment and also promote the use of safe water, as well as maintaining our
old infrastructure that include dams ,
water pipes and sewer pipes. Underneath are newspaper and media punch lines on how old sewer pipes threaten human and
environmental lifestyles.
[burst
Sewer Pipes in Mufakose high density pipe]
Pungent smell has engulfed this area
for years now. No amount of air fresheners can overpower this smell. Although I
keep all windows closed, I cannot keep the smell outside.
Burst pipes have been a perennial problem in the suburb.
There is always an unpleasant smell emanating from a stream near Westgate-http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/news/37706/burst-sewers-cause-big-stench.html
Sand and an
assortment of discarded bits and pieces, such as cooking pots and spoons, were
also found among objects that frequently block the system.A background statement on the importance of water from INNOWATER SYMPOSIUM 2012
Presenting a turnaround plan for the city on Wednesday, Chideya said officials were retrieving at least 20 bodies and foetuses weekly from both the sewerage network and treatment plants-http://www.newzimbabwe.com/pages/incest39.13777.html
The system is evidently old and bruised as the bulk of the sewer pipes in most old suburbs like Mbare and High fields were installed way before the country’s independence in 1980.
The problem of burst sewer pipes has been exacerbated by the ever-growing urban population and persistent water cuts.- http://www.thestandard.co.zw/2012/09/30/sewer-systems-need-urgent-revamp/
A background statement on the importance of water from INNOWATER SYMPOSIUM 2012
- Water is one of the most important resources on earth. However, this resource is under large pressure at the moment. In 2025 approximately 67% of the world population will live in areas with 'water stress'. Water stress occurs when the demand for water exceeds the available amount during a certain period or when poor quality restricts its use. Water stress causes deterioration of fresh water resources in terms of quantity and quality (GreenFacts, 2012). This water stress is caused by different factors, the combination of growing world population and climate change as important ones.
Compiled by Mbizo Chirasha
www.femalepoetsforthenvironment.blogspot.com
www.girlchildcreativity.blogspot.com
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