The City of Gweru has warned residents in parts of Mkoba suburb not to drink borehole water as it is contaminated with Escherichia coli (E Coli) bacteria. Gweru has been facing water challenges for some time. This has resulted in the outbreak of typhoid in some parts of the city. Town clerk Elizabeth Gwatipedza had this to say
E coli traces have been found in some water from some boreholes and we will continue monitoring and testing the water for the health of our residents.
Residents in Mkoba 15, 17, 18 and 20 are urged not to consume borehole water. Tap water is safe, yes, but there are challenges when it comes to borehole water. While we appreciate that no borehole was decommissioned at the height of the typhoid outbreak, that is by no means a sign or certificate that the water is safe for human consumption.
You must remember that some boreholes were sunk in areas where there are nutritional gardens in 2012 and the water from such boreholes did not meet the criteria in terms of consumption by residents.
However, nutritional gardens collapsed and at the height of water shortages, residents started using the water from the nutritional gardens. But this water is not safe to drink and we, therefore, urge residents not to consume water from such boreholes.
OMG ! E. coli….+ whatever else !?!?!!