Zimbabwe Runs Out of Water Treatment Chemicals

A health hazard is looming in Zimbabwe amid reports the country has no money to import water treatment chemicals, APA learned Tuesday. The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) has reportedly run out of water treatment chemicals and might not reconnect supplies to suburbs currently facing shortages, the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) said.

CHRA chief executive Barnabas Mangodza said water production levels were at their lowest in several years and warned of serious shortages in coming months unless the chemicals are urgently sourced.

“With water production remaining very low, there is no hope that ZINWA will be able to bring back water supply to those areas that are already dry. Rather, the water crisis is set to worsen as ZINWA’s woes deepen,” Mangodza said.

Water shortages have become a permanent feature of all major Zimbabwean cities and towns since an economic meltdown began in 2000.

The second largest city of Bulawayo has not had constant water supplies since August last year, with some residents resorting to using water from wells and other open sources.

Outbreaks of diarrhoea and cholera have been reported in Harare and Bulawayo in the past year due to the shortages of clean water.

Western sanctions first imposed in 2002 have made it difficult for the country to get crucial raw materials and other necessary imports required daily survival.

Source African Press Agency

Net News Publisher