The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) says messages that have been circulating on social media claiming that the city’s water is contaminated are false.
This is despite the city experiencing a diarrhoea outbreak which since has spread to all the City’s clinical districts Emakhandeni, Nkulumane and Northern suburbs.
Social media has been awash with messages claiming that sources of water are contaminated with raw sewage.
“Please be advised that our sources of water in Bulawayo are contaminated with sewer water from broken pipes as such there is an outbreak of diarrhoea with over a thousand cases so far identified. Please announce through WhatsApp groups and to learners.”
“We have discontinued using BCC water and as such learners should boil water and carry with them for drinking till further notice,” read one of the messages.
However, in a statement, Tuesday, the Town Clerk, Christopher Dube dismissed the messages as false adding that the City of Bulawayo is committed to providing a safe and reliable water supply.
“The City of Bulawayo would like to advise stakeholders, residents and members of the public that messages circulating on social media purporting that sources of water are contaminated with sewer are not true. We urge residents, stakeholders and members of the public to disregard these messages,” said Dube.
He said their water treatments, testing and distribution processes follow the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards.
“The City of Bulawayo is committed to providing a safe and reliable water supply and would like to assure all stakeholders that our water treatment, testing and distribution processes follow the World Health Organisation standards,” said Dube.
The Town Clerk also added that the council has relevant platforms and standards for sharing information with members of the public.
