Harare Risks Running Out of Drinking Water
Published on by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network in Social
Harare Is at Risk of Running out of Drinking Water in the Next 10 Years Due to High Levels of Pollution and Depletion of Water Levels in Lake Chivero
This was said revealed yesterday by Environment, Water and Climate Deputy Minister Engineer Simon Musanhu at a stakeholders' meeting convened at Kuimba Shiri Bird Park at Lake Chivero.
Lake Chivero is the main source of drinking water for Harare, Norton, Chitungwiza and Ruwa.
The meeting, held to come up with ideas on how to combat environmental degradation at the lake, was also attended by Tourism and Hospitality Industry Deputy Minister Retired Brigadier-General Walter Kanhanga and fisheries owners.
"The water levels are attributed to siltation caused by streambank cultivation and there is great need to combat them as we risk running out of drinking water in the next 10 years. We urge people to devise ideas which can recharge the fish population and also combat farm brick moulding near the lake.
"It has to be acknowledged that the lake is the nearest tourism feature to Harare. We need to engage stakeholders such as the police such that the environment can be preserved," he said.
Deputy Minister Musanhu proposed the establishment of a committee, adding the matter be raised in Cabinet.
Deputy Minister Kanhanga said the solution to the violent poachers was the creation of a reaction force which could support the local people on providing intelligence and how to overcome the problems.
Lake Chivero Users' Association chairman Mr Shiraaz Kassam weighed in saying:
"The lake used to be 32 metres deep but it is now 18 metres deep and we might experience flash flooding and we need to make the lake sustainable for future generations. We are likely to lose the environment in the next 10 years since fish stocks are depleting and are not what they used to be.
"There is rampant deforestation, illegal settlements, brickfields, poaching and increase in crime in the area which is also affecting tourism," said Mr Shiraaz.
Kuimba Shiri proprietor Mr Gary Stafford said Lake Chivero was the diamond opportunity for tourism in Zimbabwe and the opportunity was diminishing.
"We last held a fishing competition in 2009 and there is now no fish worth catching which is attributed to fish poaching.
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