Causes of water pollution in zimbabwe pdf

The objectives are to reduce water pollution within the country. Sewage and waste water every day, we cook, do laundry, flush the toilet, wash our cars, shower and do many things that use water. Abdul azeemtextile processingntu water pollution introduction what is water pollution. In zimbabwe, the environmental managemental agency has the mandate to control water quality. Apart from the industrial causes of water pollution, as we saw on the previous page, here are some more. Result of survey about air pollution, water pollution, greens and parks satisfaction, light and noise pollution, etc. Lets dive into more details causes of water pollution in africa.

It contributes to breathing problems, chronic diseases, increased hospitalization, and premature mortality. Another striking case in point is harares main water source, lake chivero, which resembles a pond of sewage due to excessive pollution. Journal of sustainable development in africa vol, no. Harare the water and sanitation crisis in zimbabwes capital, harare, places millions of residents at risk of waterborne disease, human rights watch said in a report released today. Causes, effects, and solutions for today and tomorrow since people living in the twentyfirst century have the likelihood of experiencing the effects of harmful pollution, looking at the causes of this water and air pollution is definitely vital in halting its devastating consequences. Water pollution in south africa and its public health impact. Effluent and waste water standards in zimbabwe sibhekile mtetwa 10 p. Pollution in lake chivero reaches alarming levels the. Wastewater production, treatment, and use in zimbabwe t. Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies e. Irrespective of which part of the world we are talking about, each of these three types have different causes, and therefore, they have to be discussed individually. Short term symptoms resulting from exposure to air pollution include itchy eyes, nose and throat, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, headaches, nausea, and upper respiratory infections bronchitis and pneumonia. Sewage depletes oxygen in water, which in turn kills plants and fish.

Studies have revealed that residents of zimbabwes capital harare literally drink their waste. Knowing the causes of water pollution helps us to stop the pollution and to protect the environment so that it can be enjoyed by future generations. These substances are generally referred to as pollutants which can cause water to have a. Zimbabwestrategy for managing water quality and protecting. Substances that can cause water pollution include heavy metals such as lead, sewage and pesticides. Water shortages have of late caused many health problems as people resort to unprotected water sources. The causes of massive fish deaths in lake chivero n. Water woes in zimbabwes urban areas in the middist of plenty. I also extend my gratitude to the environmental officer at the zimbabwe. The water pollution in south africa has affected water quality and impacted negatively on public health and functioning of ecosystems including the rising cost of water treatment. He said all their parlours across zimbabwe were compliant, fitted. The commandandcontrol nature of the regulatory system in which government sets prescriptive standards and in some cases dictates methods for compliance. Pdf river water quality has been impacted on severely due to number.

Water pollution has become a very seriously problem in zambia such that all the involved stake holders can not afford to turn a blind eye to. There are numerous reason behind the widespread water pollution in africa right from the poor human waste management to the industrial dumping. The current water and sanitation situation in zimbabwe faces many challenges around capacity, behaviours and the lack of investment in these sectors during and after the economic crisis of the last decade. Population growth and land use in the manyame catchment area l zanamwe 11 p. Per capita water availability is forecast to fall by as much as 38 percent by 2050, even under a low population growth rate. Nov 19, 20 harare the water and sanitation crisis in zimbabwes capital, harare, places millions of residents at risk of waterborne disease, human rights watch said in a report released today. Chemicals released by smokestacks chimneys can enter the atmosphere and then fall back to earth as rain, entering seas, rivers, and lakes and causing water pollution. Protecting the environment pollution newsday zimbabwe. Mozambique water pollution from a dumpsite, zimbabwe ejatlas. Soil erosion, waste overflow, surface water pollution decreasing water physicochemical, biological quality, groundwater pollution or depletion, largescale disturbance of hydro and geological systems. As more and more people move into cities and towns, a number of factors cause pollution. The study was carried out in msasa park and dzivaresekwa extension suburbs.

Mar 24, 2019 sometimes the causes of water pollution are quite surprising. Most of these cases were attributed to consumption of contaminated water and food. Water pollution rises leave a reply masvingo city council has announced a 50 percent increase in the quantity of chemicals that are used in the treatment of water owing to the high levels of pollution in lake mutirikwi. In this post, we take a closer look at the water pollution menace in africa, its effects on the africans, and so much more. It discusses the main causes and consequences of the problem in the light of the citys quest for sd. Zimbabwe air quality policies this document is based on research that unep conducted in 2015, in response to resolution 7 of the unea 1. Addressing climate change threats to zimbabwes water. This paper examines the causes and impacts of domestic water shortages in zimbabwes urban centres. Noxious substances injurious, very harmful to living beings. Water pollution has many different causes and this is one of the reasons why.

The ecosystem of rivers, streams and lakes is also getting deteriorated due to the contamination of water, through various sources. Point source pollution occurs when the polluting substances are emitted from an. One of the major origins of water pollution is zimbabwes small industry of. One of the major origins of water pollution is zimbabwe s small industry of. Zimbabwe experienced a cholera epidemic in 2008 and 2009. This paper examines the problem of river pollution in the eastern border city of mutare zimbabwe. Harare like zimbabwes other major cities has been grappling with water pollution, which has mostly been blamed on industries, filling stations and food outlets. As a result of the crisis, zimbabwe saw its gross domestic product gdp decline by 17 percent. Masvingo city council has announced a 50 percent increase in the quantity of chemicals that are used in the treatment of water owing to the high levels of pollution in lake mutirikwi.

Wastewater production, treatment, and use in zimbabwe. This condition also leads to the outbreak of numerous diseases, majority of them being lethal and contagious. This entry lists the most pressing and important environmental problems. Some water pollution effects are recognized immediately, whereas others dont show up for months or years. Ordinary farming is also causing pollu tion through runoff and.

The primary objective of the study was to analyse current water delivery problems with the aim of identifying challenges and shortcomings therein. Mining is another major source of water pollution in the country. According to the world health organization in 2012, 80% of zimbabweans had access to improved, i. Mutare pollutes river water in at least three ways. A government owned newspaper at the weekend described pollution levels at harares water source lake chivero as comparable to a sewage pond. Chapter 6 environmental pollution control measures range of regulations and restrictions. There are many point and nonpoint sources of contamination of zimbabwes water. At the national level, however, the government welcomed pollution as evidence of progress and prosperity, and consequently very few of the environmental pollution control measures contained in the factories act 1911 and the mining law 1905 were. This pollution is realised in the form of organic wastes such as sewage.

An assessment of water shortages and coping mechanisms of. The release of metals such as zinc, copper, iron, cobalt and nickel into water sources contaminates the water. The pollution in lake chivero has reached alarming levels, an issue that needs to be dealt with swiftly and urgently as the lake is harares main water source. Water supply and sanitation in zimbabwe is defined by many small scale successful programs but also by a general lack of improved water and sanitation systems for the majority of zimbabwe.

The world bank group paper highlights how humaninduced climate change is likely to intensify natural climate variability in zimbabwe. The potential for biological control of water hyacinth in lake chivero b mpofu 8 p. Water pollution is any chemical, physical or biological change in the quality of water that has a harmful effect on any living thing that drinks or uses or lives in it. The causes and impact of water shortage on the households. The nature of water and its function as the crucial element of life is known as the opposite for the people of zimbabwe. In zimbabwe, water contains not life but lifethreatening diseases due to contamination from industrial works. Water pollution major problem the herald zimbabwes. Consequently, the pollution of the sakubva is a cause for concern at both local and national levels. Pdf the impact of urbanisation on the water quality of. The presence of iron in water, for example, has some detrimental effects on peoples health. In 2014, government directed companies to set up onsite treatment plants to minimise effluent that is eventually discharged into the sewer system. Access to clean water is a basic right that is important for the survival of humanity yet it can be one of the hardest resources to attain. The countrys oldest town gets its water from its sole supplier, lake mutirikwi, which is, however, almost empty. Harare city water pollution shocker the sunday mail.

These weeds clog pipes, reduce sunlight penetration into the water body and use up. Lets have a look at these activities in detail to see. Zimbabwes river system heavily polluted the standard. The major causes of water pollution include sewage and other oxygendemanding wastes, urbanization, agrochemical wastes.

These sources of water pollution are both point and non point. When looking at the causes of poverty in zimbabwe, it is necessary to take the effects of the 2008 financial crisis into account. Acidification the lowering of soil and water ph due to acid precipitation and deposition usually through precipitation. Pdf causes, effects and solution of water polution. Doc water pollution from the zambian perspective remmy. Rapid assessment identification and characterization of hotspots of water. Land pollution is a major problem around the world and is caused by a variety of factors. The food chain is damaged when toxins are in the water, the toxins travel from the water the animals drink to humans when the animals meat is eaten. Aim of the study the aim of this study is to investigate the causes and impact of water shortage on the households of gakgapane township in the limpopo province. Pdf the status of river water chemical pollution in zimbabwe, a.

Zimbabwes specific water problems and solutions water. A world bank group report revealed that in addition to the central role of water in zimbabwes agricultural sector, water availability also had direct socioeconomic implications for other. Municipal waste water from homes and commercial establishments. Some of main causes of soil pollution include deforestation and consequent erosion, agriculture, industry, mining, landfills and illegal dumping of waste as well as urbanization and construction 8. Pollution of water leads to proliferation of aquatic weeds and deterioration of habitats for aquatic organism. Water pollution is characterized by a large set of adverse effects upon water bodies such as lakes, rivers, oceans and groundwater caused by human activity.

Residents living in msasa park and park meadowlands are demanding a speedy resolution to water and air pollution caused by fertiliser company zimphos. An assessment of water shortages and coping mechanisms. Water, sanitation and hygiene wash unicef zimbabwe. Irrespective of which part of the world we are talking about, each of these three types have different causes, and therefore, they have to be discussed. Causes and consequences of water pollution learn how the pollution of rivers, seas and lakes endanger the survival of the planet and all its inhabitants water is a basic resource that guarantees the life of all living beings on the planet. This research study assessed water shortages and coping mechanisms of harare residents in zimbabwe. The following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry. Causes of water pollution factors that contribute to water pollution can be categorized into two different groups point sources nonpoint sources point sources are the easiest to identify and control non point sources are ambiguously defined and harder to control. An assessment of water quality along mukuvisi river, harare. Pdf causes, effects and solution of water polution abdul. The residents say they no longer feel safe drinking water from their wells as they suspect the water might be heavily polluted through leachate from industrial dumps. The situation is not being made easier by the elnino effect that has greatly affected the country, leading to a rapid decline in water levels in major water suppliers of the country.

Water woes in zimbabwes urban areas in the middist of. Outdoor air pollution is a mix of chemicals, particulate matter, and biological materials that react with each other to form tiny hazardous particles. This paper looks at various forms and ways of non point and point water pollution in zambia. The impact of urbanisation on the water quality of lake chivero, zimbabwe article pdf available in water and environment journal 181. This document is based on research that unep conducted in. This results in an increase in nutrients nitrates and phosphates in the water which causes enhanced plant growth algal. The primary objective of the study was to analyse current water delivery problems with the. The total score greater than 20 indicated that the water was heavily polluted. Based on information that was collected in august 2014, the paper shows that air pollution is a major environmental problem and should be addressed seriously at both local and national levels. In zimbabwe major threats include pollution, deforestation, erosion and siltation of rivers.