A quantitative analysis of Kamativi's water quality
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Abstract
Kamativi is a tin-mining town in north-western Zimbabwe, in Hwange district of
Matabeleland north province. The population of the town, and its peripheries, is an estimated 7,000
people, most of whom are former miners, laid off from work following closure of the mine in 1994.
Mining operations ran for about 58 years prior to then, before low tin prices at the time forced
indefinite suspension of business. The Hwange Rural District Council (HRDC) subsequently took over
the administration of the town from the Zimbabwe Mining Development Company (ZMDC). This takeover
included the running of the town’s water supply system which uses surface abstraction from a local
dam to supply its reticulated system. The mine was the main source of economic income in the area
so its closure led to deterioration of everything in Kamativi, and water problems have dogged the
town ever since. Prompted by media reports about poor water quality, and availability problems
cited by residents, this research was undertaken into the physico-chemical and microbiological
characteristics of Kamativi’s water supply, and how it compares to Zimbabwean drinking water
standards and guidelines. The purpose was to determine the impact, if any, of mining and other
anthropogenic activities on the quality of water in Kamativi, and to suggest a way to improve or
resolve Kamativi’s water quality issues. Samples from different water sources in Kamativi were
collected during part of the wet and dry seasons in 2016. Arsenic concentrations exceed the
Zimbabwe and World Health Organization’s health-based guidelines for drinking, in five out of six
main sources, including tap water. Two other water sources had concentrations of aluminium and
manganese that exceeded the standards on at least one occasion. The distribution of trace metal
concentrations by geographic location of the water bodies suggests that proximity to the mine
influences the concentration of trace metal pollutants. Faecal contamination was evident in raw
water, as indicated by the presence of E. coli and faecal coliforms. It was concluded that the
water did not meet the standards for drinking water and needs treatment. It was also determined
that the mine has an impact on the water quality and there is a risk of arsenic toxicity. A
recommendation was made that Kamativi reintroduces full water treatment and treats for trace
metals, particularly arsenic. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation is also needed to gauge
improvements, lessen pollution, and prevent future impacts. Further research is required to
determine the source and speciation of arsenic within the mining area and to predictively
assess impacts of the proposed reopening of the mine on the local water supply system.