Threats to underground water contamination

Threats to underground water contamination.
There is an increase in borehole drilling and digging of wells in urban areas, especially in new residential areas because of unavailability of reticulated water services.In addition, there are no sewer services in these areas, construction of septic tanks evades local authorities’ by laws.
Consequently, there is underground water contamination in some of the boreholes and wells.
In this regard, it is important for every household to know the quality of water they are drinking and using, to avoid adverse health effects.
This is forcing people to construct their own septic tanks, latrines, boreholes and deep wells.
The main form of contamination by septic tanks and latrines is of bacterial nature e.g. faecal coliform.
Sewage bursts Sewage pipe bursts are a threat to underground water quality.
In Harare, most of the sprouting new residential areas are built on wetlands and these wetlands have been purifying water for years.
In some cases the geological environment is linked to chronic diseases such as renal failure due to the presence of lethal doses of metals.
Examples of different water qualities caused by geological rock structure are: hardness of water, high salinity, high fluoride levels which causes rusty teeth, high levels of metals.

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