Shortage of water treatment chemicals hits councils

A MAJOR health disaster is looming in most councils amid reports of an acute shortage of the water treatment chemical Aluminium sulfate.

Councils are reportedly left with short term cover of the chemical compound used in the initial phases of water purification.

Town Clerks Forum secretary-general Mr Shangwe Mavesera, who is also the town clerk for Bindura, recently confirmed the shortage of the chemical in most councils.

Mr Mavesera said he was receiving reports from other councils of a shortage of the chemical.

Chinhoyi Municipality director of engineering services Simon Marara said the situation had reached a critical stage.

“We are having a challenge in terms of the availability of the main water treatment chemicals, in this case Aluminum Sulfate, a coagulating agent, which we use in the first treatment processes of water.

“Under normal circumstances at Chinhoyi council l should be having three months stock, but as we speak l am only left with 10 days’ stock. A situation, which is not healthy considering the emergence of cholera in other towns,” he said.

Engineer Marara said local suppliers are unable to source the chemical due to foreign currency shortages.

“We have tried to engage our suppliers over that chemical, but they have nothing in stock. They are saying they are not getting adequate foreign currency to import the important chemical. It is now reaching crisis proportion if it’s not already a disaster,” he said.

Engineer Marara called on Government to act urgently to ensure that the situation does not get out of hand.

“As a way forward l think Government should expedite the release of foreign currency to import the chemical.

“Otherwise Government may facilitate bulk purchase of the chemical where councils are grouped and the chemical is imported centrally by Government,” he said.

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe recently pledged to avail $2,5 million per month to Harare City Council for the purchase of water treatment chemicals.