Zambezi River Basin

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.