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26
Main Industries and Agricultural
Development
Most countries in the Zambezi basin are
urbanizing rapidly, resulting in increased
industrial activities and larger waste discharges
into the river system. Industries in most of the
urban areas dump hazardous waste directly
into rivers, and this compromises water quality.
For example, about 1 400 tonnes of waste is
produced daily in Lusaka with only 10 per cent
collected by the municipality (SADC and SARDC
2008). Although it is difficult to assess the amount
of pollution originating from industries on the
Zambezi tributaries, there is clear evidence that
highly urbanized sub-basins such as the Kafue
and Manyame are discharging waste into the
Zambezi River system (SADC and ZRA 2007).
Effluent discharge is also a matter of concern
in the Zambezi Delta. The Sena Sugar
industry in Marromeu, Mozambique releases
large amounts of biodegradable waste
and wastewater into the Zambezi water
system (SADC and ZRA 2007). In Harare, the
Mukuvisi River which drains into Manyame,
is considered the most heavily polluted river
system in Zimbabwe. The river flows through
both industrial and residential areas of Harare
(Chenje 2000).
In the Tanzanian part of the basin, the quality of
water is generally good except for the pollution
of the Kiwira River by coal mines, and of the
Songwe River by a cement-manufacturing
company (SADC and ZRA 2007).
Overgrazing by livestock leads to soil erosion.
© SARDC
© P. Johnson, SARDC