Illegal Mining Sludge Drives Up Water Treatment Costs in Zvishavane

Zvishavane water treatment plant infrastructure

Residents of Zvishavane are facing reduced water supplies after sludge from illegal mining activities contaminated the Ngezi River, significantly increasing the cost of treating water for the town. The chairman of the Zvishavane Town Council (ZTC), Takarangana Keta, said the local authority has been forced to cut the town’s daily treated water output to manage the rising costs.

Speaking in an interview, Keta said the council previously supplied about 28 megalitres of treated water per day but has now reduced production to 23 megalitres. He attributed the situation to sludge flowing into the river from illegal mining activities upstream, particularly during the rainy season when flooding worsens the problem.

“We appeal to law enforcement agents to monitor and arrest illegal miners upstream of Ngezi River. Residents should bear with us especially during the rainy season because the water is too muddy,” Keta said.

Keta explained that treating the heavily contaminated water now requires large quantities of aluminium sulphate to remove the sludge. According to the council, about 40 bags of aluminium sulphate, each weighing 50 kilograms, are needed every day to make the water safe for consumption. The chemical costs around US$0.70 per kilogram, significantly increasing operational expenses for the council. Zvishavane, which has a population of more than 60,000 people, requires about 28 megalitres of water daily to meet demand. However, the reduced production means many residents are experiencing limited water supplies.

Keta urged the government and law enforcement agencies to take action against illegal miners operating along the river. He said the miners are not only polluting the water source but are also damaging infrastructure by vandalising pipelines and valves that carry water to the town. Keta added that the council is planning to rehabilitate the town’s water treatment plant as water demand continues to grow.

However, the Zvishavane Original Residents and Ratepayers Association has accused the council of failing to ensure a reliable water supply because it has not upgraded the town’s ageing water infrastructure. The association’s chairperson, Kamino Simango, said the water treatment plant requires urgent rehabilitation to keep pace with the town’s growing population.

“Council should stay ahead in terms of expanding services in line with population growth,” Simango said.

He also suggested that the council should invest in alternative power sources to ensure uninterrupted water treatment operations.

“Council should not rely entirely on electricity from ZESA. It should consider solar-powered systems as a backup to avoid water supply backlogs,” he said.

Simango also called for the installation of new pipelines from the Ngezi Water Works into town to improve water delivery. Residents have increasingly raised concerns about water shortages in the mining town as demand continues to grow.

Zvishavane water supply illegal mining Ngezi River