Ndola water pollution laid bare

SOME companies in Ndola are polluting the water sources, a harmful practice to residents of the city, the Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) has said.

WARMA Deputy Board Chairperson, Elenestina Mwelwa, said the team was in Ndola to address the concerns of water pollution.

She said there were some structures that were built close to the water sources and the sad development could cause pollution and affect the flow of water.

Dr Mwelwa said the ground water level was very high while the soak away pumping station was downstream.

She said this had the potential of polluting the water.

Dr Mwelwa said WARMA ahad information that some companies were pumping polluted water in the water sources.

She, therefore, called for closer collaboration between WARMA and the Ndola City Council.Dr Mwelwa also called on the Council to guide Kafubu Water and Sanitation Company on various issues.

She said the Ndola City Council should consider coming up with by-laws to deter entities from polluting water sources like the Kafubu River.

Dr Mwelwa said WARMA had no intentions of accusing any entity of wrong doing but wanted to chart the best way forward.

Meanwhile Ndola City Council has called for strengthened coordination between the local authority and WARMA to enhance planning.

Town Clerk, Cosmas Chalusa, said the council was a strategic partner and that it was important to coordinate efforts so that plans and permits were effectively executed.

“There is no need for us to be at loggerheads. We need to coordinate and cooperate efforts so that we perform our jobs much better,” Mr Chalusa said.He said he had received some concerns from the

Ndola Mayo, Amon Chisenga, regarding the lack of warm relations between his office and some WARMA officers.

Mr Chalusa said to effectively coordinate efforts between the city council and WARMA, all concerns from the water authority should go to his office.

He said the city council would take into consideration all the concerns that the WARMA team had raised and act accordingly.

‘‘Ndola City Council should consider coming up with by-laws to deter entities from polluting water sources like the Kafubu River.’’ -Dr Mwelwa