BULAWAYO City Council has allayed fears of cyanide poisoning at its water sources as the city battles its worst water crisis in years.
Exposure to cyanide can cause death.
Panic gripped residents after reports emerged on social media of presence of cyanide in one of the city’s water sources.
This followed a council report showing city fathers expressing concern over illegal mining at Alice Farm on the banks of the city’s supply dams.
Town clerk Christopher Dube, however, said laboratory tests showed that there were no detectable levels of cyanide or any other harmful chemicals.
“The water continues to be safe for all domestic, agricultural and industrial uses,” he said in Press statement.
“We want to assure the public that there is no evidence of any such contamination.
“The city is closely monitoring the situation and will take necessary precautions to safeguard the water supply.”
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Council spokesperson Nesisa Mpofu said the safety and quality of Bulawayo’s water was of utmost priority to the municipality.
“We maintain rigorous water testing and monitoring protocols to ensure the water meets all regulatory standards for potability and safety,” she said.
“The water continues to be safe for all domestic, agricultural and industrial uses.”
Bulawayo is facing one of its worst water challenges in years, with one supply dam, Mzingwane, already decommissioned.
Government has refused to declare the city a water crisis area to allow the municipality to mobilise resources for other interventions.
