CITY OF MUTARE
Cyanide scare: Monthly tests for Mutare's water
DESPITE concerns raised over the safety of Mutare's water, tests initiated by Mutare City Council recently have revealed that the precious liquid is clean.
In earlier tests instigated by Mutasa Rural Council following rampant illegal gold panning activities around Mutare's water sources, the Standards Association of Zimbabwe picked high levels of mercury in the water samples availed.
Following the publication of the SAZ results, Mutare City Council
conducted further tests through its engineering department and a private laboratory, Glohi-Sci (Pvt) Limited, previously known as Vermex. Acting Mutare City Council Town Clerk, Mr Blessing Chafesuka confirmed the recent tests and insisted that the local authority's water is safe for human consumption. "Following the publication of the earlier report in the Press, our City Engineer conducted sampling using
the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) laboratory and a private laboratory, Glohi-Sci (Pvt) Limited, previously known as Vermex.
"Both tests showed that our treated water meets the SAZ standards and the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines for potable water. "If anyone disputes this, I invite them for joint sampling and testing by an independent lab of their choice," said Mr Chafesuka.
He said periodical tests are being done to ensure that the city supplies residents with clean and safe water. "The tests are carried out by City of Mutare using independent laboratories, normally on a monthly basis. The sampling sites include Nyakaunga River, Odzani Weir, Odzani Reservoir and Christmas Pass Reservoirs and the results of all points are below 0, 01mg/l for mercury and cyanide, which are below the permissible range of 0,05mg/l and 0,3mg/l according to SAZ and WHO guidelines," said Mr Chafesuka.
In its report dated March 9, 2022, referenced CFT-220218-00058, SAZ stated that mercury levels stood at 0, 898 milligrammes per litre in the Lake Alexander water samples, while the chemical was not detected in Small Bridge Dam.
The results also showed that 0, 018 milligrammes of cyanide per litre were detected from the Lake Alexander samples; while 0, 016 milligrammes per litre were detected in samples collected from Small Bridge Dam.
Illegal gold panners were identified as the sources of the cyanide and mercury as they use the chemicals to purify gold.
Cyanide tanks have been constructed on several sites in Penhalonga and the chemical is used to dissolve gold from the ore.
Due to its harsh properties, cyanide is not supposed to interact with the environment.
However, recent tests of water samples collected from nearby water sources suggested that the cyanide solution was leaking into the environment.
According to WHO, mercury is one the most harmful substances for human health. It can influence the nervous system, the development of the brain, and more.
It is particularly harmful for children and can also be transmitted from a mother to a child during pregnancy. To keep the panners at bay, the Joint Operation Command (JOC) recently toured the area and manpower has been deployed to weed out the menacing panners.
Mr Chafesuka said: "JOC first
patrolled the Nyakaunga River for three days and managed to drive away all illegal miners that were in the area. Currently, law enforcement agents are on the ground to ensure that they are no illegal miners left in the area. "We are very grateful for this intervention by JOC. The reduction in mining activities has so far reduced the turbidity in the river from about 60NTU to 32NTU. This translates to
less aluminium sulphate usage at Odzani Water Treatment Plant (OWTP).
"The City of Mutare, EMA and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority
(ZINWA) are working together to rehabilitate Nyakaunga River," said Mr Chafesuka.
He added: "City of Mutare has requested JOC, EMA, ZINWA and all other relevant stakeholders to assist in halting artisanal mining activities upstream of our raw water sources. "Secondly, full chemical and microbiological tests are being carried out on a monthly and weekly basis respectively to ensure that the water supplied to the residents meets the SAZ standards and WHO guidelines. This will ensure that residents get clean water," said the Acting Town Clerk.