Govt: Treated Water Safe on Copperbelt

By Chembe Mbale

Government has reassured residents of Kitwe, Kalulushi, and surrounding areas that the water being supplied by Nkana Water Supply and Sanitation Company among other Utilities on the Copperbelt is safe.

Water Development and Sanitation Minister, COLLINS NZOVU has since clarified that only untreated raw water remains unsafe.

Mr. NZOVU says Nkana Water Supply and Sanitation Company has implemented measures to address concerns about water quality, including pre-chlorination to reduce manganese levels.

He says all parameters in water processing are of acceptable standards by the World Health Organization among other institutions such as Zambia Bureau of Standards.

Mr. NZOVU said this when he and Copperbelt Minister ELISHA MATAMBO toured the Bulangililo Water Treatment Plant to appreciate the water treatment process following contamination of the water source by Sino Metals.

And Mr. MATAMBO said Government will ensure that all the people affected by the pollution are compensated including those in Chingola who were affected by the discharge from Mimbula Mine.

Earlier, Manager Safety Health Environment and Quality BENJAMIN MACHUTA said Nkana water had also engaged an independent consultant Alfred H. Knight who took some samples of water to conduct independent test and that the results from a certified laboratory show that all parameters were met as per required standards.

He added that the only elements that were slightly higher but still within specifications were manganese and iron.