Upper Manyame Sub-Catchment Council warns of conta...

Upper Manyame Sub-Catchment Council warns of contamination of borehole water

Oscar J Jeke

The Upper Manyame Sub-Catchment Council has warned residents in its sub-catchment of another cholera outbreak owing to the contamination of borehole water.

This comes as that a water quality testing exercise revealed the presence of the E.coli bacteria in the borehole water within areas such as Chitungwiza, Mbare and Norton among others in the sub-catchment, with the statutory water management body convinced that there is a genuine threat of cholera.

In a statement, the UMSCC public relations department said that areas affected by this potential contamination have to exercise restraint on consumption and using the water.

“The water quality testing which was conducted by UMSCC revealed the presence of E.coli bacteria in boreholes,” said UMSCC.

“E.coli bacteria can cause various illnesses, including cholera, which poses a significant health risk. The presence of E.coli indicates potential contamination of the water supply in these areas,” UMSCC added.

The sub-catchment council also noted that households within its vicinity that have had their water tested have been informed of the results and received information and recommendations to counter the problem identified.

“The households and institutions who had their water tested have been informed of the results. (They should) not drink, cook, or wash with untreated water from boreholes or other sources in the listed areas,” reads UMSCC statement.

Most communities in the country have been using borehole water as councils struggle to supply the precious liquid consistently to their residents but this discovery adds more misery to the public.