Chitungwiza Municipality Warns Residents Against Dumping Rubbish in Sewer Manholes

Council workers clearing a blocked sewer

The Chitungwiza Municipality has warned residents against dumping rubbish into sewer manholes, saying the practice is causing serious blockages and sewage backups in homes.

In a statement, the council said residents had been throwing grass, debris, and other solid waste into the sewer system, disrupting wastewater flow and damaging infrastructure. Officials said the warning follows the discovery of large quantities of waste dumped into a sewer manhole at 31 Rukukwe in Zengeza 1, a suburb of Chitungwiza. Images shared by the municipality showed piles of grass and other debris inside the manhole, which caused sewer blockages affecting several houses upstream.

According to the municipality, sewer systems are designed to carry wastewater only and not solid waste.

“Our sewer system is designed to carry wastewater only not grass, rags, sand, animal skins, dead animals, diapers or any other solid waste,” the council said in the statement.

Officials warned that forcing such materials into manholes or flushing them into sewer lines can cause blockages, sewage overflows, and costly repairs that affect the entire community.

Municipal authorities said the practice also exposes residents to serious health risks linked to raw sewage.

The council also expressed concern over incidents where infant bodies have been discovered in the sewer system.

“We are profoundly disturbed by the discovery of infant bodies in the sewer system, a tragic and painful reminder of how critical it is to safeguard both our infrastructure and our humanity,” the municipality said.

Authorities did not provide further details about the incidents but described them as deeply troubling.

The municipality urged residents not to open or tamper with sewer manholes or dump waste into sewer lines. Instead, residents were encouraged to use the council's proper refuse collection and disposal methods. Officials also appealed to members of the public to report any sewer blockages, overflows, or acts of vandalism to municipal authorities so that they can be addressed quickly. The council said protecting sewer infrastructure is essential to maintaining public health and reliable service delivery across the town.

Chitungwiza sewer blockage