GWERU City Council mayor, Martin Chivhoko, has said the local authority attended to more than 300 sewer blockages in the last quarter of the year caused by residents flushing solid material in drains and toilets.
Addressing a recent ordinary council meeting, Chivhoko said, although council made significant strides in improving water pumping capacity through sustained investment and technical repairs, progress was being hampered by a rise in sewer blockages.
“Progress in water supply is shadowed by a troubling rise in sewer blockages,” Chivhoko said.
“Over the past quarter, our teams have responded to more than 300 blockages across the city.
“The main cause is solid items being flushed or thrown into toilets and drains.
“Let us be clear, nappies, sanitary pads, rags, plastic bags, cooking oil, broken glass and building rubble do not belong in the sewer system.
“When you dispose of these wrongly, you cause raw sewage to back up into streets and even into people’s homes.”
He said sewer blockages were not only a health hazard but an expense for the local authority to fix.
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“I plead with every household and business that only human waste and toilet paper should go down the toilet,” said the mayor.
“Dispose of all other waste in bins. We are increasing sewer jetting and inspection but prevention starts with you.”
Chivhoko urged residents to maintain cleanliness in the city saying a dirty environment breeds diseases and cost council to clean up.
