The recent contamination of Lake Chivero, a vital water source for Harare and surrounding areas, is a stark reminder of the consequences of environmental neglect.
The lake's contamination, which has resulted in the death of over 1,000 fish, is a wake-up call for Zimbabweans to take environmental protection seriously.
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority confirmed that an estimated 1 000 fish have died from cyanobacteria poisoning.
It said raw sewage runoff from the Marimba area has forced contaminated water into multiple bays creating hazardous conditions for aquatic life.
To allay fears that the contaminated fish could be sold to Harare residents the agency has closed off the lake to the public as it carries out its investigations.
Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are a family of single-celled algae that proliferate in water bodies such as ponds, lakes, reservoirs, and slow-moving streams when the water is warm and nutrients are available.
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Many cyanobacteria species produce a group of toxins known as microcystins, some of which are
The species most commonly associated with microcystin production is Microcystis aeruginosa Reports have revealed that Harare City Council has been discharging raw sewage into the Mukuvisi River, which flows into Lake Chivero, the city's main water source, for the past two weeks.
This has created serious health and environmental hazards, resulting in Zimparks banning all fishing activities at Lake Chivero, where thousands of fish have died, alongside animals including four rhinos and three zebras.
The sewage discharges back to the Crowborough Sewerage Works, one of Harare's five treatment plants, which has a capacity of 54 million litres per day.
Observations revealed that the council was directly pumping sewage into Mukuvisi River.
Along the sewer line, multiple burst pipes were found leaking sewage into the river and surrounding fields.
The consequences of the Lake Chivero contamination are far-reaching and devastating.
The death of over 1,000 fish is not only an economic loss for local fishermen but also a threat to the lake's ecosystem.
The contamination of the lake's water also poses a risk to human health, particularly for communities that rely on the lake for drinking water, fishing, and other economic activities.
So, what lessons can be learned from the Lake Chivero contamination?
Firstly, the importance of environmental protection cannot be overstated.
The contamination of Lake Chivero is a stark reminder of the consequences of environmental neglect.
Secondly, sustainable practices, such as proper waste management and pollution control, are essential for preventing similar contamination in the future.
Harare mayor Jacob Mafume this past week blamed worsening pollution at Lake Chivero on the rapid growth of informal settlements with industrial waste and outdated sewer infrastructure compounding the crisis.
He called for a co-ordinated approach to resolve the crisis.
The lake, which serves as the city's primary water source, has seen an alarming increase in pollution, resulting in the deaths of fish and wildlife, including rhinos.
Addressing journalists, Mafume said there were over 150 000 informal settlements around Harare and many of them discharged waste directly into Lake Chivero.
"At the moment, there is industrial waste and sewage that goes into the river," he said.
"There are now informal settlements that have been formed in and around Lake Chivero, together with national parks.
These informal settlements also discharge whatever they discharge into Lake Chivero."
"These settlements do not have sewage reticulation systems and, therefore, their discharge is going straight into our water bodies," with the effluent in the quantities that he said.
The impact of the Lake Chivero contamination on local communities is significant. The economic, social, and health effects of the contamination are far-reaching and devastating. Local fishermen have lost their livelihoods, and communities that rely on the lake for drinking water and other economic activities are at risk.
The Environmental Management Authority, the City of Harare and other local authorities have clashed over water pollution for many years. Several local authorities have been fined by the agency for leaving partially treated sewage to flow into water sources.
Surveys by Ema indicated that an estimated 399 mega litres of raw and partially treated sewer are discharged into Lake Chivero daily, which is one of the most pronounced drivers in pollution of the lake thus contaminating and polluting both terrestrial ecosystems and water bodies.
Apart from raw sewerage, Lake Chivero has also been taking enormous amounts of pollution from industries.
To prevent similar contaminations in the future, several solutions and strategies can be implemented.
Improved waste management practices, including the proper disposal of sewage and industrial waste, are essential for preventing pollution.’
Increased environmental monitoring, including regular water quality testing, can also help to detect pollution and contamination early, preventing devastating consequences.
Community education programs can also play a critical role in promoting environmental awareness and encouraging sustainable practices.
By educating local communities about the importance of environmental protection and the consequences of pollution, we can empower them to take action and protect their environment.
To prevent similar contaminations in the future, we must prioritize environmental protection and promote sustainable practices.
Improved waste management practices, increased environmental monitoring, community education programs, and government action are all essential for protecting our environment and preventing devastating contaminations like the one that has affected Lake Chivero.
*Gary Gerald Mtombeni is a journalist based in Harare. He writes here in his own personal capacity. For feedback Email garymtombeni@gmail.com/ call- +263778861608