River Pollution in Harare

Since Independence, Harare has undergone major growth, both in size and population density. This has led to increasing pressure being placed on rivers draining the Greater Harare area, in terms of the legal and illegal discharges to them from various sources within the Manyame catchment. Consequently, several smaller streams which drain into the Manyame, such as the Mukuvisi and Nyatsime rivers, are highly polluted: the pollution load carried in these streams has contributed greatly to the present problems with water hyacinth in Lake Chivero. The water hyacinth problem is of great concern to the City of Harare since its presence in Lake Chivero threatens the efficient operation of the Morton Jaffray Waterworks, and therefore the quality of the drinking water which is supplied to the City. This paper will cover the nature of the pollution in Harare’s rivers, the sources of pollution, what has or is being done to prevent illegal discharges to the rivers, the effect of pollution on the receiving waters, current legislation on illegal discharges, and also the current level of sewage treatment capacity in the Greater Harare area.