Bulawayo Resident Dies After Drinking Contaminated Borehole Water

A Bulawayo resident has died from acute gastro-enteritis, also known as stomach flu, after allegedly drinking contaminated borehole water.

The death was recorded in the latest Bulawayo City Council (BCC) health surveillance report, which linked it to the use of borehole water in Pumula South following an interruption to reticulated water supplies.

According to the report, investigations found the deceased did not seek medical attention and later died from severe diarrhoea and dehydration.

“Post mortem results indicated that the patient died from hypovolemic shock due to acute gastro-enteritis,” read the report.

Council health officials said another person in the same household later fell ill, but recovered after treatment at Mpilo Central Hospital.

Lab tests found the borehole water in the area was contaminated. Samples showed non-faecal coliforms.

Health officials said their investigation was made harder after family members refused stool sampling and contact tracing.

Recent council water checks showed 62% of water points tested across Bulawayo failed on one or more safety checks, including faecal contamination.

Several schools, clinics and public facilities were affected, including parts of Nkulumane, Emganwini and Luveve.

The council’s latest environmental health report also flagged sewer overflows in Emganwini and complaints about foul-smelling water in residential areas. It warned that ageing sewer systems and pressure on water networks were raising risks.

Bulawayo recorded 247 diarrhoea cases and one death in March alone, the report said.

Residents in the western suburbs said the worsening water situation was leaving families exposed. Many said they had no choice but to rely on borehole water.

Council health officials have urged residents to boil or disinfect water from sources they can’t verify, and to get medical help straight away for symptoms like diarrhoea, vomiting and dehydration.

More: Chronicle