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Innocent Ruwende Municipal Reporter—
The chemical composition of water pumped into homes by Harare City Council meets Standards Association of Zimbabwe specifications, tests show. The chemical composition, however, varies across the city with those in high-density suburbs likely to have more chemical values than those in medium-density settlements.
Results from tests commissioned by The Herald showed that tap water for domestic use/supply taken from Rugare had a chemical composition compliant with SAZ S560:1997.

Another sample from Braeside also complies with SAZ requirements.

“The sample complies with SAZS 560:1997 chemical specification requirements with respect to tests carried out,” said SAZ of both samples.

According to the report produced by SAZ chemical experts Ms Taremekedzwa Machiwenyika and Ms Joyce Mufara, both water samples had 0,003mg of arsenic against a highest desirable level of 5mg and a maximum permissible limit of 100mg.

The Rugare sample had 44,22mg of chlorides, while the Braeside one had 33,01mg against a maximum limit of 300mg.

No nickel, lead and cadmium were found in both samples.

The Braeside water sample contained 53,24mg of sodium, while the Rugare sample had 45,35mg against a maximum permissible limit of 150mg.

The Braeside sample had 11,610mg of magnesium, while the Rugare one had 12,587mg against a maximum permissible limit of 50mg.

The Herald also commissioned a microbiology test on samples from the same two suburbs- and both got the thumbs up from SAZ, which says the water was fit for human consumption.

The results of the microbiology test were published in yesterday’s issue of The Herald.

However, this has done little to allay fears by many people that Harare water is not fit for human consumption, with many people insisting they will continue to favour bottled and borehole water.

Many others boil the tap water provided by the municipality before drinking it.

Harare Residents Trust director Mr Precious Shumba said despite the results, water provided by the city was visibly dirty.

“The potability should never be doubted by consumers because the moment it is, it means more has to be done to make it safe in their eyes,” he said.

Other health experts called for more independent tests to determine the actual state of the water.