KCM pollutes Kafue River again
By Kabanda Chulu in Kitwe
Fri 14 Jan. 2011, 04:00 CAT
KONKOLA Copper Mine has polluted the Kafue River again. And Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) northern region manager Patson Zulu has called for the imposition of serious punitive measures against KCM for its continued pollution of the Kafue River.
But KCM head of corporate affairs Jacqueline Kabeta requested for a written press query before commenting on the matter. In an interview yesterday, Zulu said KCM informed ECZ about the incident on Tuesday.
“KCM reported that they had a problem with a Zesco power line to one of the pumps and they shut down the concentrator and the tailings leach plant but we suspect that by the time they took this action, impurities had already over flown into the river since preliminary results indicate the presence of heavy metals in the Kafue River ,” Zulu said.
“We are waiting for latest results to ascertain the level of contamination but as at last night (Wednesday) the situation was the same and we are not thinking of taking KCM to court but we shall impose serious punitive measures which I can’t disclose now.”
Nkana Water and Sewerage Company on Wednesday, temporarily shutdown water supply in Kitwe as a precautionary measure following reports of suspected pollution of the Kafue River by KCM.
Mulonga Water managing director Manuel Mutale said operations were normal since the company was able to treat the levels of impurities in the river.
“But we are still carrying out tests and also waiting for ECZ to complete their investigations and advise what to do. We only shutdown when our tests reveal higher levels of impurity content which we can’t treat,” said Mutale.
And Earth Organisation Zambia executive director Lovemore Muma said it was unfortunate that KCM had failed to keep its assurances that pollution of the Kafue River would not happen again.
Labels: KAFUE, KCM, KITWE, MANUEL MUTALE, NKANA WATER AND SEWAGE COMPANY, POLLUTION
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Poor infrastructure investment affecting delivery - MWSC MD
By Namatama Mundia
Wed 31 Mar. 2010, 04:00 CAT
THE Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) Limited has said poor levels of investment in the company’s infrastructure has led to a lower service delivery.
Appearing before the parliamentary committee on energy, environment and tourism to respond to audit issues which were highlighted in the Auditor General’s report yesterday, MWSC managing director Manuel Mutale said his company was faced with a lot of challenges.
“The one overriding issue you will find is that there has been no investment of note into Mulonga’s infrastructure and this has led to a lower than desired service level,” he said.
Mutale explained that areas such as Chikola B that were highlighted in the Auditor General’s report did not have water due to water network that had collapsed.
“This collapse had been caused by blockages in the pipes resulting from vandalism of the network by the residents who were in search of water at a time when system pressures had reduced due to increased demand and leakages,” he said. “It was a generally widespread practice to access water from the main distribution pipes by the residents.”
Mutale said Kabundi, Chiwempala, Kasompe and Chabanyama received 15 to 17 hours of supply due to demand outstripping supply since no major investment at the water works had been undertaken to increase capacity.
“This matter is made worse by leaks in the distribution system which rapidly depletes water stocks,” he said.
On overall Unaccounted for Water (UfW) of 16 per cent and estimated revenue loss of K9 billion, MWSC director technical Kanyembo Ndhlovu explained that the level of leaks in the system and the low metering ratio of under 30 per cent had a major impact on the level of UfW.
“The current position is that the UfW is down to 42 per cent overall and targeted to reduce to 32 per cent by the end of 2010 depending on inflow of financing for network repairs,” Ndhlovu said. “The metering ratio has grown to over 45 per cent and is estimated to rise to around 60 per cent by the end of 2010.”
He said the infrastructure which was being operated by Mulonga Water in Chingola, Mufulira and Chililabombwe was old and under-capacity.
“The company is currently scouting for financiers to partner with in order to undertake major capital works to redress the situation. It should also be noted that out of all the existing water utilities in the country, only Mulonga water does not have a donor or financier working with it at the moment,” said Ndhlovu.
Labels: MANUEL MUTALE, MWSC
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