PRESS STATEMENT ON ALLEGED POLLUTION OF THE DAM IN THE ZAF BASE LOCATED IN TWIN PALM

ZAF Twin Palm- Press Statement

WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY

(WARMA) 

PRESS STATEMENT

For Immediate Release 17th December 2020

PRESS STATEMENT ON ALLEGED POLLUTION OF THE DAM IN THE ZAF

BASE LOCATED IN TWIN PALM

The Water Resources Management Authority (” the Authority”) received a report on Sunday, 14th December 2020 alleging that the dam located within the premises of the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) Base in Twin Palm Area had been polluted. The contamination is alleged to have resulted in fish dying in the dam.

In response to the pollution reports, the Authority immediately dispatched a technical team to assess the alleged pollution incidence. The preliminary results of the assessment showed that water in the dam and associated streams in the ZAF Twin Palm area was well within the stipulated acceptable World Health Organization (WHO) standards for all physio-chemical parameters tested signifying that the water quality was within permissible limits.

Our investigations further revealed that the alleged contamination in the dam could have been caused by heavy rains during the course of last week which could have caused a rapid concentration of organic matter in the runoff resulting into a localized pollution plume that could have reduced dissolved oxygen levels.

The Authority wishes therefore to assure the general public that there is no cause for fear as there is currently no human induced activity that may pose serious threat to water resources in the area. The Authority however will, in collaboration with ZAF, continue monitoring the water quality of the dam and associated water bodies in the area and keep the public updated where necessary.

WARMA: Zambia’s Water, Our Future!

Issued by: Joshua C. Kapila Public Relations Officer

WARMA