Harare — THE rate of destruction of wetlands in Zimbabwe's urban settlements has reached alarming proportions as the majority of them are being turned into residential and industrial stands.

Despite legislation that has been put in place to govern the protection of wetlands, their destruction is still on the increase with those responsible pointing fingers instead of coming up with solutions.

Zimbabwe National Water Authority ground water manager Sam Sunguro said construction of houses on wetlands depletes the water table and gives rise to pollution of underground water.

"The construction of houses on wetlands, coupled with a sharp increase in the use of borehole water, has contributed to the depletion of Harare's water table," said Sunguro.

The construction of houses on wetlands has also resulted in an increase in the contamination of underground water.

"People construct septic tanks that drain into soak-aways thereby polluting underground water through seepage," added Sunguro.

Since soak-aways were not connected to the main sewer channels, solid waste settles in the deep pit filled with stones and the waste water seeps into the ground.

"Septic tanks also burst thereby getting into waterways and polluting underground water.

"If construction of houses on wetlands continues at the current rate we run the risk of declaring underground water unsafe for drinking," he said.

Institute of Water and Sanitation's capacity development officer Mrs Regina Pahwaringira said projections indicate that by 2025 there will be water scarcity in Zimbabwe as a result of the deterioration and mismanagement of valuable eco-systems.

She said houses built on wetlands were prone to flooding and collapsing.

"The danger associated with housing developments on wetlands may include cracking and bending of structures as a result of differential settlement reducing the lifespan of the structure," she said.

Housing developments could take place on wetlands provided the provisions of the prevailing environmental law had been followed.

"This can be done by making appropriate applications to the director general of the Environmental Management Agency as well as carrying out an EIA so that species in the area are identified and if need be, relocated to avoid their extinction," Mrs Pahwaringira said.

She revealed that clearing a wetland for housing developments causes water pollution and environmental degradation.

"Allocation of residential stands anywhere is accompanied by the construction of roads, culverts and storm water drains and during this process soil is moved and pits are created," she said.

Environmental Management Agency's manager for Education and Publicity Steady Kangata said wetlands have been affected to a larger extent by the construction of houses, mostly in urban areas due to the shortage of accommodation.

He said over the past two decades, Zimbabwe has seen an increase in the allocation of residential stands and subsequent construction of houses on wetlands.

"Regardless of the acute shortage of shelter, environmental laws must be followed," said Kangata.

He said the EMA has written letters to the Harare City Council instructing them to stop further allocation of stands and development on wetlands.

The letters have, however, failed to improve the situation in any way.

Kangata noted that wetlands perform vital functions and their destruction resulted in an imbalance of the ecosystem.

"One of the most important functions of wetlands is their ability to act as a natural earth sponge.

"Wetlands perform the function of sponges by soaking up rain and slowly releasing this water in drier seasons," Kangata said.

In addition wetlands act as temporary storage basins and this in turn reduces erosion.

In the event of floods, their ability to act as sponges reduces destruction by slowing down surface runoff.

Kangata said wetlands were ecological sensitive areas, which required the application for permission in terms of Section 113 of the Environmental Management Agency Act Chapter 20:27 before developments are undertaken on them.

The EMA Act provides for the sustainable management of natural resources and protection of the environment, the prevention of pollution and environmental degradation, he further noted.

In terms of section 97 of the Environmental Management Act Chapter 20:27 of 2003, housing developments are one prescribed activity where an Environmental Impact Assessment has to be undertaken before any development commences.

Residents of Ballanytne Park and Monavale have gone as far as writing letters to the director of urban planning services raising concerns regarding the increase in housing developments on wetlands.

Dr Shane Stockill, a resident of Newlands also raised concern over the development on the Mandara Vlei, an area sandwiched by Harare Dri