Challenges of River Pollution in the Dora Community, Mutare (Zimbabwe)
Keywords:
River pollution, Causes, Challenges, Effects, Solutions, Dora CommunityAbstract
The Dora communal lands which are home to over 2000 peasants is heavily dependent on water sources for their daily lives. This study was conducted in July, 2018 in order to examine the challenges and possible solutions to the problem of river pollution in the Dora community, Mutare. The Sakubva River is heavily polluted through human activities along its course; the Dora River is downstream of the Sakubva River and is subsequently fed polluted water by the Sakubva River. Despite the potential health hazards, impacts on livelihoods that the pollution of water bodies has for the locals who use the water, river pollution persists. A mixed methods approach specifically the use of questionnaires and water sampling results were used in the data collection process. Questionnaire data were captured, coded and entered into SPSS and then analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results were then presented using tables, graphs, statistical coefficients that were supplemented using narratives descriptions. Respondents noted odors, health problems, algal blooms, changes in color of water and accumulation of slurry as the major indicators of river pollution. Respondents also pointed out the major sources of pollution and what they think should be done to deal with these problems. The study concluded that the pollution of the Sakubva and Dora rivers has impacted gravely on the social and economic environments of the Dora communities. The research also shows that there is awareness on river pollution but there is no community involvement and assistance in dealing with problems of river pollution.
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