Imagine drinking water contaminated with raw sewage. For many Harare residents, this nightmare is a harsh reality. Lake Chivero, the city’s lifeblood, is drowning in pollution.
Daily, over 250 million liters of raw and partially treated sewage flow into the lake, threatening the water supply for hundreds of thousands. The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) confirms that Harare’s sewage discharge is a significant contributor to the problem.
The consequences are dire. Residents risk consuming water laced with harmful pathogens, parasites, and industrial toxins. The environment suffers too, with cyanobacteria growth and frequent fish die-offs in the lake.
While the City of Harare claims its water is safe, residents are skeptical. The EMA has increased monitoring, and penalties for polluters are severe. Now, residents demand urgent action to address the crisis and ensure a safe, sustainable water supply.
With governance under scrutiny, Harare’s residents hope for reform and a solution to the water crisis. The question is: will the city act in time to save its water source?
