Story Theophilus Chuma
ENVIRONMENTAL experts have raised concern over the continued pollution of Lake Chivero, citing the absence of pre-treatment facilities for industrial waste and raw effluent in Harare as a major contributor.
Authorities and companies have been accused of discharging untreated waste into the sewer system, a serious violation of environmental regulations.
Once a shining example of nature’s beauty, Lake Chivero is now experiencing severe ecological damage.
Harare City Council has been identified as a major contributor to the discharge of raw effluent, alongside several companies that are disposing untreated industrial waste into the sewer system.
Recent reports reveal that more than 300 companies in Harare lack pre-treatment facilities for their waste.
“Section 59 of the Environmental Management Act calls for the installation of pre-treatment facilities, yet most industries do not comply. The local authority has acknowledged that they do not have pre-treatment facilities. Consequently, industries are also contributing to industrial pollution. The City of Harare does not have specific by-laws governing trade effluent, which regulates the discharge of industrial effluent into sewer systems, instead, relies on the Environmental Management Act. For many firms, it is cheaper to pollute than to comply,” said local governance expert Mr Reuben Akili.
Harare City Council reportedly fines offending companies an average of US$300 per offence, without implementing measures to prevent further environmental damage.
In the 2026 budget proposal, the council increased fines to US$600, creating an additional revenue stream without translating to meaningful enforcement to protect the lake, according to local governance experts.
Preliminary findings by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) paint a bleak picture on the lake’s condition.
“We have recorded low dissolved oxygen, meaning many organisms are competing for the same oxygen. The biological oxygen demand is also very high, indicating that numerous organisms need oxygen in the water body, largely due to the high nutrient load. Elevated nitrate levels, a sign of sewer contamination, further confirm that the lake is heavily polluted,” said EMA Education and Publicity Manager, Ms Amkela Sidange.
The environmental authority emphasises that robust and collective measures are critical to saving Lake Chivero from further damage, particularly from cyanobacteria, which have already killed aquatic life and wildlife.
