ZIMBABWE – According to All Africa Global Media, animal waste, fertilizers, municipal, industrial and mining wastewater, urban storm water and runoff from agricultural, livestock and poultry operations have impaired the Zimbabwe National Water Authority’s capacity to meet the growing demand of water in Harare and surrounding towns. Unusual outbreaks of bloody diarrhea are killing young children, the Herald reports.According to the Herald, industry discharges a variety of pollutants in their wastewater, for instance resin pellets, organic toxins, nutrients and solids. With food processing industries, the discharged waste contains pathogens. These are released directly into the water body and in this case, into Nyatsime River all the way down to Lake Chivero via the Manyame River. Lake Chivero is the source of water for Harare and surrounding towns like Chitungwiza and Norton.”Water treatment costs have risen sharply in recent years because of excessive pollution. Passing the real cost to the consumer has been difficult as the majority cannot afford to pay market rates.” Basically, Zinwa is failing to provide potable water to residents all the time. This is despite the fact that pollution fines were increased by 2 900 percent in 2003.

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