Foul water stirs panic in Bulwayo, residents fear possible deadly diarrhoea outbreak

Residents in several high-density suburbs in Bulawayo have raised serious concerns over the quality of tap water, citing muddy colour, foul smell and suspected links to stomach ailments, sparking fears of a possible diarrhoea outbreak.

Bulawayo United Residents Association (Bura) chairperson, Winos Dube, said the association has received numerous complaints from residents in Nketa 9, Emganwini, Pumula South, Old Pumula, Magwegwe and Nguboyenja, among other areas.

“We are receiving a number of concerns from different areas about the water,” Dube said.

“People are reporting that the water coming through their taps is very dirty, smelly and muddy.”

He added that some residents have reported suffering from stomach complications, prompting visits to local clinics.

“There are complaints of stomach challenges, with people fearing that this situation could lead to a diarrhoea outbreak,” Dube said.

Dube said Bura had escalated the matter to Bulawayo town clerk, Christopher Dube, who assured the association that the city council would investigate and address the problem.

“As residents, we are calling on the relevant authorities to act with speed. People are not happy with the water they are receiving,” he said.

Residents interviewed echoed similar concerns, with some blaming the water for illness in their households.

One resident said: “We are suffering from stomach problems. It’s like the water has rust, dust and smells of mud.

“The water is available, but it’s making us sick. We are visiting clinics with our grandchildren because of serious diarrhoea.

“I have now resorted to either buying water or boiling it. We need help.”

Another resident from Nguboyenja said the water that flowed from the taps over the weekend was unusable.

“The water that came on Saturday and Sunday was very dark and dirty,” the resident said.

“We could not use it and only watered the garden. Now we don’t know when water will come again because of water shedding.”

Bulawayo mayor David Coltart confirmed that the city council was aware of the complaints.

“I have received this complaint from Mr Dube and it has been reported to our engineers,” Coltart said.

“I have not yet received an explanation on what the problem is, but I am assured that our engineers are working on it.”

In June 2020, a diarrhoea outbreak killed 13 residents of Luveve suburb and infected over 2 000 others.

Since then, the city has been battling recurring diarrhoea outbreaks.

NewsDay