Water Contamination Scare in Zambia

The African country of Zambia is in a water pollution scare. At least 13 people in the northern part of Zambia have been admitted into the hospital after drinking the water alleged to have been contaminated by a mine that was nearby.

According to the officials from Mufulira, upon visiting the site, they claim that the acidic effluents from Mopani Copper Mines entered the water supply by accident on Wednesday. According to BBC, police have been deployed in case of riots. Boyd Kaimbi Chibale with BBC also explains that the atmosphere in Mufulira is volatire after a similar incident took place in Chingola in 2006. Chingola is near Mufulira. The residents of Mufulira that number about 800,000 are scared to drink the tap water for it could be contaminated. Instead, they have collected water from both the shallow wells and the nearby streams. Farmers are in fear and concern that the crop plants near the Kafue River will be contamination. According to Mopani Copper Mines, the water used at its plant was treated before re-entering the water system. The ones admitted to the hospital were suffering from abdominal pains. “Nobody has died but we are screening all the people who consumed the water,” said Charles Mwandila, the town official.