THE Bulawayo City Council has indicated that Criterion Laboratory’s microbiology section is overwhelmed as it is currently receiving an average of 1 400 water samples per month for testing from several municipalities and private firms. CHIEF REPORTER
Council said a severe staff shortage at its Criterion Laboratory under the city’s health department was affecting water quality monitoring due to the high demand.
According to a council report, the Criterion potable water and Thorngrove waste-water laboratories are seriously short- staffed that they were failing to meet their targets.
“The two sub-sections of Criterion Laboratory also test for a fee a number of samples as they are received from other stakeholders like mining concerns, individuals, institutions and private organisations,” part of the report reads.
“Generally, the number of samples from private organisations and individuals can go up to 60 per month thus bringing valuable income to council.
“Some organisations that have routinely had their samples tested at our laboratory include the municipalities of Beitbridge, Victoria Falls and Plumtree as well as other companies like PPC Zimbabwe, Delta Breweries, Zimbabwe Power Company Hwange and other mining concerns and schools.
“The other heavy user of Criterion Laboratory’s microbiology section is the city’s health services department whose samples average about 1 400 a month.
“Shortage of manpower, equipment and vehicle breakdowns negatively affected the routine water quality monitoring by the two sub-sections.
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“Hence the high variances in some planned sampling schedules.”
The laboratories rely on two old vehicles that constantly break down and one vehicle is said to be close to 22 years old.
The report said industries continued to discharge effluent that is rich in pollutants.
It said the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) had been issuing orders against several such industries.
“Funds permitting, the refurbishment of sewage treatment plants should be prioritised because EMA will continue to ticket council for non-compliance,” the report added.
