Zimbabwe’s Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has sounded the alarm over a deepening water crisis in the capital, accusing the Harare City Council of discharging more than 250 million litres of untreated sewage daily into Lake Chivero the city’s primary water source.
According to EMA spokesperson Amkela Sidange, around 219 million litres of that figure is residential waste. She noted that from 2021 to 2025, Harare has been served with seven environmental protection orders and tickets for multiple violations, including discharging raw sewage, leaking pipes, and failing sewer systems.
National statistics paint a grim picture over 415 megalitres of sewage are dumped into the environment each day, with Harare responsible for more than half. Authorities say investigations into water safety are ongoing, with Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs secretary Cosmas Chiringa confirming that discussions are underway to address the public health risks.
Still, the city maintains there is no crisis. Mayor Jacob Mafume downplayed the allegations, insisting the water meets World Health Organisation standards and blaming any issues on “compromised pipes.” But residents say they continue to receive foul-smelling, discolored water from their taps a troubling reality for communities dependent on Lake Chivero, including Chitungwiza, Ruwa, Norton, and Epworth.
