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Zambia: Mufulira Water Contaminated
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The Times of Zambia (Ndola)
3 January 2008
Posted to the web 3 January 2008
Chishimba Chishimba
Ndola
There was a near riot in Mufulira yesterday following water contamination, which resulted in 10 people being rushed to Malcom Watson Hospital after consuming the commodity pumped from Mopani Copper Mine (MCM) underground source.
Riot police were deployed in three mine townships, the town centre and other strategic areas after word went round that some people had been rushed to the hospital after consuming 'poisoned' water. Some people had mobilised themselves and attempted to march to the civic centre and Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company offices, but police were quickly deployed in strategic areas. Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) chief services officer Passmore Hamukoma also confirmed the incident in an interview. Mines and Minerals Development Minister Kalombo Mwansa said Government was waiting for a report from mine safety department officials who were despatched to Mufulira.
Mufulira Town Clerk Charles Mwandila and Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company managing director Manuel Mutale confirmed that the water, which was discharged into the system from Mine Site Water treatment plant, affected some people who were rushed to the hospital for treatment. Mr Mwandila said some people were treated and discharged while others were admitted for overnight observation for stomach pains and vomiting. Mr Mwandila explained that the problem was detected in the morning when some people complained through the council health department where they produced some water samples, which appeared greenish in colour.
"We also received numerous phone calls about the water and people complaining of stomach pains, nausea and vomiting," he said. He said he rushed to the water plant and later to the hospital where he witnessed people being brought in as some of them vomited. He said water samples were collected at 10:00 hours and tested at MCM laboratory, which revealed that there were acid traces in the water. Mr Mwandila explained that water supply from the Mine Site water treatment plant was immediately shut down, affecting Kankoyo, Butondo, Kantanshi, and Fairview in the town centre area.
Mr Mutale on the other hand explained that there were three water plants in Mufulira under Mulonga, namely Kafue, Chibolya, and the Mine Site. The mine site plant is supplied with water from underground as MCM is dewatering the mine area. Mr Mwandila said he had been in constant touch with MCM acting chief executive officer Emmanuel Mutati who had been helpful throughout the crisis. Mr Mutale said his company in conjunction with the council would provide water bowsers in the affected townships as an interim measure.
MCM was now discharging the water from underground in Mufulira stream, which eventually flows in the Kafue River, another source of water in the town. Mulonga tested the water three times in a day as the commodity was being supplied for consumption. The first laboratory testing is done at 07:00 hours while the second one is done about 10:00 hours.
Mr Mwandila said this is the second incident experienced in Mufulira, with the first one having happened in 2005. There was no immediate comment from MCM while security at Malcom Watson Hospital was tight as only patients and their relatives were allowed to get into the premises. Residents in affected area were trooping to Ngolo and Zimba areas far beyond Butondo township where they were drawing water from shallow wells and springs.
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Early last year, Mushishima stream in Chingola was polluted as a result of Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) dewatering process. This also affected Kafue River.
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