EMA Drags Local Council To Court Over Discharge Of Raw Sewage Into Manyame Dam
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has dragged Norton Town Council to the High Court for releasing raw sewage into Manyame Dam which provides potable water to Harare and surrounding towns.
The local government authority has reportedly been discharging raw sewer into the water body since 2010 when its water and sewer treatment plants became partly functional.
Fines have not deterred the council from discharging sewer and now EMA wants a court order which directs Norton to rehabilitate, repair and upgrade its water treatment plants and sewer systems to ensure proper treatment of effluent before discharging it into the environment and water bodies.
EMA also wants Norton Town Council to ensure the licensing of any discharge of the effluent in terms of EMA Act. Through director for Environmental Protection Unit Christopher Mushava, the agency last Friday filed the application at the High Court which reads in part:
I firmly believe this is a proper case in which the relief sought ought to be granted. The harm caused by the actions and inactions of Norton Town Council has created a serious health risk which may result in devastating epidemics.
This comes when reports suggest that Harare is also pumping raw sewer into This comes when reports suggest that raw sewer from Harare is flowing into Lake Chivero. Harare has been a hotspot for cholera and other waterborne diseases including typhoid.
More: The Herald
