Loveness Bepete Business Reporter
THE Environmental Management Agency (EMA) is demanding waste disposal licences from companies and local authorities amid concerns over an increase in pollution due to raw effluent discharge across the country.The agency’s water and effluent officer, Union Mapwashike, told participants during a workshop organised by EMA and Unicef in Bulawayo last week that most companies had not renewed their waste disposal licences, which last for one year. He said 6,475 mega litres of sewage were being discharged daily and that by July 2014 out of 1,469 companies inspected in major cities such as Harare, Mutare, Masvingo, Gweru, Kwekwe and Redcliff, “65 percent were not compliant with authority”.

“Mines and industries should register with EMA in order to ensure safe disposal of waste. Institutions that are not linked to a local sewer network should also get licences,” Mapwashike said.

“There are four classes of licences based on waste parameters, method of disposal and receiving area. The duration of the licence is one year.”

He said licences varied according to the damage caused to the environment.

“The licences are clarified under four categories, with the blue one being the most advisable as waste disposal does not result in significant environmental risk. Green means the waste has low hazards, yellow means medium hazards and red is high hazards,” Mapwashike added.

EMA ecosystems manager Debra Magwada said local authorities should be capacitated to manage pollution and waste water.

“We’re in the process of putting in place mechanisms for environment protection like levies and fines,” she said.

Raw industrial effluent and sewage causes death of aquatic species and often triggers water-borne diseases. A research by World Health Organisation (October 2009) indicated that 98,592 people suffered from cholera with 4,288 deaths recorded.

 

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