FOUNTAIN Blue residents in Kuwadzana, Harare, have raised alarm over a decade-long struggle to access sewage facilities, blaming land disputes and alleged encroachment by neighbouring Parkridge stands for worsening the crisis.
In 2016, they contributed US$120 per household for the construction of a sewage system, but nothing has materialised, forcing them to rely on septic tanks while others use Blair toilets.
The community’s frustration worsened when it discovered that its planned sewer line route had been occupied by stands under the Parkridge Housing Consortium, some of which were built in a wetland close to a stream.
A resident of Fountain Blue since 2012, Tendai Mazuru, who is also the chairperson of the Fountain Blue Housing Scheme, expressed frustration over the matter.
“We built our homes with hope, but now we are living with sewage flowing in our yards. We need urgent intervention before we experience cholera outbreaks,” Mazuru said.
“At first, we were told that our sewer line was supposed to be joined to the Herbert Chitepo area, but when it was approved, we were told that we are going to connect to Mazai Sewage Treatment Works.
“Now we want to get work done and our development is being disturbed by these new stands.”
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Another resident, Lucia Mapfumo, complained that using septic tanks was draining their pockets.
“When it rains, the ground gets too wet and our septic tanks fill up quickly. We are forced to pay US$80 every month to have them emptied,” she said.
“We built our homes with hope, but now we are living like villagers with Blair toilets in a city suburb. We want authorities to step in before disaster strikes.”
According to the Environmental Management Act, no person shall dispose of waste or effluent into a public stream or into any other surface water or ground water, whether directly or through drainage or seepage, except under licence.
Parkridge Housing Consortium chairperson Charles Matsika defended the scheme, adding that their stands were established in 2018.
He claimed that efforts were underway to divert Fountain Blue’s sewer line.
“We are in the process of finding an alternative route for their sewer system. Our stands are legal, hence we cannot be blamed,” he said.
However, Fountain Blue residents dismissed the claims, adding that there was no space for diversion.
The only available space is near the stream and the law does not allow passage of sewage near water bodies.
Efforts to get a comment from Harare City Council spokesperson Stanley Gama were fruitless, despite promising that the municipality will probe the matter.
Harare is facing an increase in cases of sewage blockage because of outdated infrastructure, designed for a smaller population.
