Zimbabwe Parliament: Calls For Harare Sewage Crisis State Of Emergency

• A parliamentary report has revealed a severe public health crisis in Harare due to widespread collapse of wastewater treatment infrastructure.
• Only 20 of Zimbabwe's 63 sewage plants are functional, discharging 570 megalitres of raw sewage daily, contaminating Lake Chivero and other water sources.
• Specific failures include Harare's Firle plant operating at reduced capacity and Crowborough plant being non-functional, with repairs at Amalinda Crossing not expected until June 2027.
• The crisis has led to alarming water quality indicators, environmental degradation, and recurring waterborne disease outbreaks, including a 2008-09 cholera epidemic that killed 4,200 people.
• The Portfolio Committee on Environment, Climate and Wildlife has called for the President to declare a State of Emergency by December 31, 2026, citing inconsistency with Section 73 of the Constitution.

The Portfolio Committee on Environment, Climate and Wildlife underscored that this persistent pollution poses severe risks to public health, the environment, and the long-term viability of Harare's water supply.

Harare is grappling with a severe public health crisis, directly attributable to the continuous discharge of untreated sewage into vital waterways. A recent parliamentary report has highlighted that raw effluent is contaminating rivers that feed Lake Chivero, the primary source of drinking water for the capital. The comprehensive findings, compiled by the Portfolio Committee on Environment, Climate and Wildlife, were tabled in July 2025 and made public this week, revealing a dire state of Zimbabwe's wastewater management infrastructure.

The report indicates a systemic failure, with only 20 out of the nation's 63 sewage treatment plants remaining operational. These few functioning facilities collectively release an estimated 570 megalitres of raw sewage into the environment daily, exacerbating pollution levels in major rivers and critical water sources across the country. In Harare, the situation is particularly acute; the Firle Wastewater Treatment Plant, designed to process 144 megalitres per day, is currently handling only 54 megalitres, while the Crowborough plant has ceased to function entirely.

One of the most critical pollution points identified is Amalinda Crossing, where collapsed trunk mains have been discharging approximately 80 megalitres of raw sewage daily into the Mukuvisi River for the past 15 years. This river ultimately flows into Lake Chivero, further compromising Harare's raw water supply. Repairs for this crucial infrastructure are not anticipated to be completed until June 2027. Additionally, the Budiriro Pump Station has been non-functional since 2014, leading to raw sewage overflowing into the Marimba River and backflowing into residential areas, exposing inhabitants to dangerous pathogens. This widespread failure of sanitation infrastructure is directly linked to recurring outbreaks of waterborne diseases, including cholera, typhoid, and dysentery, recalling the devastating 2008-09 cholera epidemic that claimed approximately 4,200 lives and infected 98,000 individuals.

The parliamentary committee's investigation also revealed alarming water quality indicators in the affected rivers and Lake Chivero. River monitoring data showed dissolved oxygen levels at a concerning 51.2%, significantly below the healthy threshold of 60%. Furthermore, the Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) registered at 9.48 mg/L, which is approximately four times the safe limit. Elevated phosphate levels were also identified as a primary cause of widespread fish deaths and the unchecked proliferation of water hyacinth within Lake Chivero, further degrading the ecosystem.

The Portfolio Committee on Environment, Climate and Wildlife underscored that this persistent pollution poses severe risks to public health, the environment, and the long-term viability of Harare's water supply. The committee explicitly stated that the current state of affairs is inconsistent with Section 73 of the Zimbabwe Constitution environment provisions, which guarantees every citizen the right to an environment that is not detrimental to their health or well-being. This constitutional breach forms a critical part of the committee's urgent recommendations.

In response to the escalating Harare sewage crisis state of emergency call, the parliamentary committee has issued a critical recommendation for the President to declare a State of Emergency concerning the nation's water and sanitation crisis. This declaration is urged to be made by December 31, 2026. The proposed emergency measure is intended to facilitate immediate and decisive intervention to address the severely deteriorated wastewater infrastructure and to safeguard communities and essential water sources from further contamination.

Such a declaration would unlock necessary resources and streamline efforts to overhaul the collapsed systems, which are currently threatening the health and environmental stability of Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe Parliament wastewater report emphasizes that without urgent action, the public health emergency will continue to worsen, with devastating consequences for the population and the natural environment. This call signals a potential shift towards intensified regulatory action and scrutiny of environmental compliance, particularly regarding wastewater management, across the country.

This parliamentary call for a state of emergency signals imminent and intensified regulatory action regarding environmental and public health compliance in Zimbabwe, especially concerning wastewater management. Lawyers should advise clients on potential new enforcement measures, increased scrutiny of infrastructure projects, and heightened litigation risks related to environmental rights under Section 73 of the Constitution.

Source: Original reporting via New Zimbabwe.