Cabinet yesterday directed multiple ministries to address the ongoing water situation at Tsumeb, almost seven months after the town reported a high concentration of microbiological organisms in the water.
Since December, Tsumeb has been dealing with microbiological contamination in its potable water, raising concerns about the health and well-being of its residents.
In response to this critical issue, Cabinet has directed multiple ministries to collaborate in addressing the situation.
Led by the agriculture minister, Cabinet approved a plan to closely monitor sampling points until the water quality stabilises.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform and the Ministry of Health and Social Services have also been instructed to work together in monitoring and addressing waterborne diseases at the town.
Furthermore, Cabinet has authorised the health ministry to explore the resumption of the health community outreach programme. This initiative will closely liaise with the Tsumeb municipality environmental health inspector to educate the public on hygiene practices and raise awareness on the risks associated with contaminated water.
To ensure adequate funding for remedial measures, Cabinet has directed the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises,and the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism to engage the Environmental Investment Fund.
Additional financial resources will be allocated to the agriculture and urban development ministries along with the Tsumeb municipality for conducting comprehensive water quality analyses under the proposed project.
Moreover, Cabinet has issued directives to the urban development ministry and the Tsumeb municipality on the management of potential risks associated with contaminated potable water and the implementation of precautionary measures to safeguard the health of residents.
These measures include protecting raw water supplies from human and animal waste, ensuring proper treatment and distribution of water, safeguarding stored, treated and disinfected water from bird faeces, and employing suitable processes, such as membrane filtration, to eliminate enteric viruses or protozoa.
In April, the municipality announced that major maintenance would be conducted on the town’s main water reservoir, the Tupperware Dam. The maintenance involves the replacement of the dam lining, which has not been done since 2010.
The lining replacement is typically performed every 10 years.
According to Tsumeb mayor Mathew Hangula, a recent lab test revealed that the water in the town is clear of microbiological organisms.
“Only one borehole still showed 1% of the microbiological organisms. We have not been pumping water from the Tupperware Dam because it’s still under maintenance,” he said.
Swapo politician Nico Kaiyamo, who hails from Tsumeb, questioned the lack of urgency on the matter and expressed frustration with the delay in informing the community about the plans.
While he welcomed the Cabinet’s involvement, he considered it a little too late.
“I don’t know what sin the community of Tsumeb committed that the minister runs to other towns at a high speed, but ignores Tsumeb. This goes for the rest of the ministries. God must have [been with] the people of Tsumeb that no one has developed chronic diseases as a result of the water situation,” he said.
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