Harare residents are facing a silent threat of contaminated borehole water that is leaving thousands at risk of cholera and other deadly diseases.
A shocking 47% of the city’s boreholes have been found to contain unsafe water, with human waste and other contaminants seeping into the groundwater.
The City of Harare’s Department of City Health Services has issued a public health alert on 31 January, which revealed that 47% the tested boreholes in Harare contain unsafe water.
Therefore, the department has warned that the water from these boreholes is contaminated and requires proper treatment before consumption.
The contamination is largely attributed to the city’s outdated and poorly maintained sewer infrastructure, with burst pipes and overflowing toilets allowing harmful substances to contaminate the groundwater.
To mitigate the risks, residents are advised to take precautions such as boiling or treating water from boreholes before drinking, and avoiding consumption of water from unprotected wells, shallow boreholes, or flooded areas.
The crisis has been worsened by the recent heavy rains, which have overwhelmed the sewer system and caused widespread flooding, leading to the increased risk of waterborne diseases, with cholera being a major concern.
The City of Harare is working to address the issue, but experts warn that more needs to be done to prevent a full-blown crisis.
In the meantime, residents are taking matters into their own hands, with many opting to buy water from private suppliers or use alternative sources such as wells and streams. However, these alternatives come with their own risks, and experts warn that the city’s water crisis is far from over.
As the situation continues to unfold, residents are urged to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families. With the city’s water infrastructure in a state of disrepair, it’s clear that a long-term solution is needed to address the root causes of the crisis.
As a result of the failure by the municipality to supply reliable and safe water, many have turned to drilling their own boreholes, often without proper testing or maintenance. This has created a new set of problems, with many of these boreholes tapping into contaminated groundwater, worsening the city’s water problems.