Vic Falls sewer system condemned

 The Victoria Falls City Council has been discharging substandard raw effluent into a nearby river, raising fears of a public health crisis and environmental pollution.

This is revealed in the latest Auditor General's report on Local Authorities for the 2024 financial year.

The council’s sewer system failed to meet environmental standards, leading to the dumping of untreated wastewater into a river. 

"The council’s sewer reticulation system was not operating as per environmental management legislation,” the report read.

“The council was disposing of low standard effluent into the nearby river...”

This violation resulted in a ZWL$12.58 million fine. 

"In addition, the council did not have a landfill as it was making use of a dumpsite, which was contrary to the Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27], First Schedule 11(a) which requires the council’s waste management to have a landfill."

The AG warned that this posed serious health and environmental risks and urged the council to upgrade its sewer infrastructure.

In response, the council said it had launched a water, sanitation, and hygiene (Wash) programme, structured in phases due to funding constraints. 

“Currently the City of Victoria Falls is implementing phase 1 of the Wash programme.

“Later phases of the Wash programme (Phase 3 and 4) will seek to upgrade the sewer outfalls and sewer treatment plant so that the effluent from the treatment plant meets the Environmental Management Agency standards.”

On previous audits, the AG said the council made little progress in addressing concerns noted in the findings.

"I raised 16 findings, four were addressed, nine were partially addressed and three were yet to be addressed," the AG said.

Those that were addressed were the valuation of property, plant and equipment while undeveloped land was classified and quantified, master plan was approved by the council in June 2024 and will be opened to the public in August and September 2024.

The AG also noted minimal progress in resolving past audit issues. 

The AG issued a qualified audit opinion, citing multiple violations of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).

"The council did not account for roads materials as inventory in the financial statements.

“This was contrary to IPSAS 12 paragraph 47 which requires the council to recognise the construction materials not consumed at year end to be accounted for as inventory.”

The AG said the council had large quantities of quarry stones that were not valued.

“In addition, the council did not maintain purchase invoices, delivery notes and issue vouchers.

“Due to the incomplete records keeping, I was not able to perform alternative procedures to ascertain the quantities and values of the construction material."

The report further states that the council did not have approved documented disaster recovery plans.

The AG urged the council to account for its entire inventory in the financial statements.

Source: Vic Falls sewer system condemned (03/08/2025)

IDBZ on Vic Falls water and sanitation

Victoria Falls requires at least $15,7 million for expansion and rehabilitation of water and sanitation infrastructure to support more than 5 000 properties in the resort town.

According to a budget proposal by Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ), which advises Government on major infrastructure projects, Victoria Falls, being Zimbabwe’s tourism prime destination requires massive investment to upgrade its water and sanitation facilities

Victoria Falls had a population of 33 600 and received an average of 50 000 tourist per annum according to the 2012 national census. Tourists arrivals have since increased significantly following the upgrading of the Victoria Falls airport which has resulted in massive increase in flights to the resort town.

“Victoria Falls like many urban centres in Zimbabwe has been affected by many years of under investment in maintenance of its sewerage and water infrastructure.

“Overloading of the existing system is evident from marked increase in sewer blockages and deterioration of quality of treated sewage effluent which is now polluting local water courses,” said IDBZ.

The budget also proposes increased spending for the sewer connection and infrastructure while the installation prepaid water meters is prioritised.

“The main project outcomes are improved household access to municipal water supply, reduced environmental pollution from raw sewage, and improved utility water revenue collection efficiency,” part of the proposal reads.

At the moment feasibility studies have been done.

Last month, Victoria Falls Municipality introduced a tight water rationing regime in the tourist resort town, following shortages of water treatment chemicals.

According to the town fathers, their regular supplier of water treatment chemicals had cut supplies, citing foreign currency shortages.

Ironically, residents have been running for weeks without tap water despite living on shores of the Zambezi River.

Some places have also gone for years without adequate running water and a sewer reticulation system.

Source: IDBZ on Vic Falls water and sanitation (20/03/18)

Vic Falls budgets $12m for water, sewer revamp

Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter

VICTORIA Falls Municipality has set aside close to $12 million to upgrade its water and sewer systems following complaints by residents about continued erratic services.

The project will put an end to a septic tank system which residents have condemned.
Briefing residents at a budget consultation meeting, outgoing Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube said the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) project will start in March next year.

“The WASH programme will start soon and will run concurrently with BB7 and Buffer Zone housing projects. No planning was done for the water and sewer system in BD39 (Aerodrome) and we now want to normalise things,” said Mr Dube.

Council partnered CBZ in a $12 million deal for construction of BB7 and Buffer Zone houses.
Town Treasurer Mr Thembinkosi Khumalo said the WASH project would be rolled out in two phases spread over two years.

“The council has spent $85 384 on layout plans for the project. The feasibility study has told us that the first phase of the project will cost $6,6 million and is expected to commence in March 2017 and will take 18 months,” said Mr Khumalo.

He said the second phase would cost $5,2 million.

The Town Treasurer appealed to ratepayers to honour their obligations so that council can deliver.
Council is owed $15 536 695 by residents and businesses while it owes service providers over $8 million.

Contributing at the ongoing budget meetings, residents expressed fears that the water and sewer situation would worsen after completion of the new housing projects as the population would grow.

“The council must look into the issue of septic tanks which are now producing a strong unbearable stench at our houses,” said Mr Blessing Munyenyiwa, a resident.— @ncubeleon

Sources: Vic Falls budgets $12m for water, sewer revamp (23/09/16)

Pioneering biogas project for Livingstone

A pioneering project for Livingstone aims to harvest a non-native invasive plant, the water hyacinth, from Livingstone sewage works where it flourishes, to produce commercial biogass.

As part of the Energy and Environment Partnership Programme (EEP) for Southern and East Africa, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Finland, the pilot project in Livingstone, southern Zambia, will use water hyacinth plants for biogas production on a commercial basis, as well as producing fertiliser as a by-product. The project aims to serve up to four local tourism hotels with green energy, as well as a model domestic scheme. The water hyacinths biomass will be harvested from the wastewater treatment ponds on a regular basis. Waste sludge produced will be used to support a small banana plantation on the site.

The invasive plant, native to South America, is detrimental to the local ecology when it escapes into natural areas, growing in dense rafts, and is extremely difficult to eradicate. The Livingstone Sewage Works suffers from an infestation of the plant which affects its operational efficiency. The project hopes to alleviate the environmental threat of untreated sewage water discharging into the Zambezi River, and also the water hyacinth escaping into the river, just above the world heritage site of Victoria Falls. The sewage works have struggled to cope with the recent growth of Livingstone town and is sceduled for expansion work.

The company Livingfalls BioPower Ltd. has been created as a vehicle for building and operating the project for Southern Water and Sewerage Company in Livingstone.

Read more here. Further information on wastewater projects here.

Victoria Falls World Heritage Site Update

Bit of catching up with the state of play regarding official reporting on the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site, joint listed by Zambia and Zimbabwe.
In February 2012 Zambia and Zimbabwe submitted a comprehensive report covering progress made during the two-year period since the last report. The report addressed the specific issues raised previously (following the previous report) and provides a general update on the implementation of measures taken to satisfy the 2006 mission recommendations.
The reports detail joint management meetings and progress over the period, including work towards establishment of 57 benchmarks and indicators that will be used to monitor progress in maintaining the Outstanding Universal Value and ecological integrity of the site. A comprehensive monitoring plan for the site was planned to be submitted by December 2012.
Specific issues highlighted in the online summary include:
Control of invasive species
One major management issue is control of invaise non-native plants. Parties report an intensification of efforts to control invasive species in the falls area using mechanical, chemical and biological methods. A total of 2.5 ha of land was cleared of the invasive weed Lantana camara, but note that they face significant challenges due to its rapid regeneration. The slopes of the gorges are now becoming infested and control work is dependent on State Party funding, which is inadequate.
Tourism development and regulation
The Parties reported an increase in visitor numbers over the 2009 figure, with a combined total of 232,400 visitors in 2010 and 215,380 during the first 11 months of 2011.
On the Zimbabwean side it was reported that a new helipad has been completed away from the falls so that helicopter operators can be relocated and noise pollution reduced. Both State Parties have upgraded their visitor centres and installed electronic ticketing equipment. Other visitor facilities have been improved on the Zimbabwe side, with a new ticket office and upgrading of ablution facilities.
Zambia submitted a new project brief for a tethered balloon. The project brief for this proposal notes that the new location is south of the Eastern Cataract, meaning that the balloon would not appear in the viewing corridor of visitors viewing the Falls from the Zambian side.
Other conservation issues of concern – water abstraction, poaching, pollution, and urban development
An agreement has been reached to reduce water abstraction for hydro-electric power generation by the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO), which entails a 40% reduction in power generation and correspondingly stronger flow of water over the falls for five hours daily during the critical dry months, when water flows in the Zambezi drop below 400 m³/s. This is intended to ensure that water flows over the eastern cataract (on the Zambian side of the falls) during these peak visitor viewing hours. However, the State Party notes that this measure will not be implemented until the power station is connected to the national power grid, and that there will be no reduction in power generation if the water flows in the Zambezi drop below 200 m³/s.
The report further noted that pollution arising from effluent discharge from urban areas on either side of the border is being addressed. Sewerage ponds on the Zimbabwe side have been rehabilitated, but those on the Zambia side are still reported to be leaking. Mitigation measures have been put in place to address pollution from boat sewage, such as the installation of chemical toilets on all boats operating on the Zambezi river.
Conclusions
'The World Heritage Centre and IUCN note that despite some improvements, helicopter use and noise remains a significant concern that impacts on the quality of experience of visitors to the property and requires continued regulation and management. Furthermore, after reviewing the project brief, the World Heritage Centre and IUCN consider that the new location of the tethered balloon does not mitigate the visual impacts of the balloon on the view from the Zimbabwean side or from river cruises above the falls. They recommend that the Committee recall its Decision 34 COM 7B.6, which re-iterated that any tethered balloon projects close to the property would adversely impact its integrity because, when raised, the balloon is likely to appear within the viewing corridor of the Falls.'
'The World Heritage Centre and IUCN note the measures taken to halt any furher development of hotels and other tourist facilities on the river banks and islands; to reduce noise and river pollution and to maintain the site’s visual integrity and natural unspoilt beauty. They also note that the State Party of Zambia has submitted three environmental project briefs for a five passenger tethered balloon, an amphicoach, and a tent sanctuary and spa lodge facility before taking a decision on these projects, as required by the Operational Guidelines.'
'However, with regards to the amphicoach project, the environmental project brief submitted does not currenty adequately address mitigation of visual and physical impacts. Considering the spa project, the brief should include a limit to the height of the tents and other infrastructure associated to the spa lodge, and specify measures to avoid impacts of the spa on the view from the Zimbabwe side of the river. Furthermore, regarding the spa site, adequate measures should be taken to avoid erosion of top soil within and around the spa lodge site, as well as silt run-off into the river or associated streams as a result of surface drainage of rainwater. While it is possible to assess the impacts of individual development projects on the property, the cumulative effects of a range of tourism related developments will together impact on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value. The World Heritage Centre and IUCN note historical concerns regarding the visual impact of high structures and recommend that the Committee request the State Party that a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of development within the property and in its vicinity be conducted, in order to protect the Outstanding Universal Value of the property, including its aesthetic value and the related conditions of integrity.'
'The World Heritage Centre and IUCN note the loss of revenue (estimated at USD 218,160 annually) that would be involved in reducing the amount of water diverted from the falls to generate electricity. They however note that the ZESCO plant, as reported by the State Party, requires 175 m3/s to operate at full capacity, which involves abstraction of 44-87% of typical dry-season flows over the September-January period. This level of water abstraction is clearly affecting the visual impact and aesthetic value of the property (the basis of its inscription on the World Heritage List under criterion (vii)), and may be having other long-term impacts such as degradation of the adjacent rainforest as a result of reduced spray at critical times. The World Heritage Centre and IUCN recommend that the Committee urge the State Party of Zambia to consider further voluntary reductions in dry-season water abstraction so as to fully maintain the Outstanding Universal Value of the property.'
Source: UNESCO Victoria Falls

Vic Falls municipality dumps raw sewage into Zambezi

The Victoria Falls municipality has been dumping raw sewage into the Zambezi River for over a year, after allegedly failing to deal with waste emanating from two of the country’s world renowned hotels — Victoria Falls and Kingdom.

The hotels are located on low-lying land and are not connected to the town’s sewer system because of gradient, meaning a powerful pump is needed to channel sewerage from the hotels up the gradient.

Instead, pipes have been laid to carry and pour sewage into the mighty river, between Rapid Four and Six. The area is popular with tourists for white water rafting.

Although senior council officials who included the mayor, town clerk, director of engineering services and public relations manager were reluctant to comment, sources in the resort town said the authorities had cited lack of financial resources for the failure to deal with the sewage problem.

A council official who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed yesterday that raw sewage has been channelled into the river for more than a year now.

He said the pipes which linked the hotels to the municipality’s sewerage ponds had broken down resulting in effluent flowing into the river.

Africa Sun chief executive officer Shingi Munyeza professed ignorance over the issue and referred questions to the Victoria Falls Municipality, while the hotels’ management refused to comment.

“The best persons to comment would be the council. They are the ones who handle sewage,” Munyeza said.

Victoria Falls mayor Nkosilathi Jihane referred questions to the town’s engineer Sheren Sibanda.

However, Sibanda refused to comment, politely saying her job “is not to speak to the Press”.

She further referred questions to the municipality’s public relations manager, Nqabutho Moyo, who requested questions in writing.

After receiving the questions, he passed the matter to the town clerk, Godfrey Maphosa.

Maphosa was said to be in meetings most of yesterday before he was later said to have left the office.

NewsDay, however, has pictures taken two weeks ago of the raw effluent spilling into the river.

Source: Vic Falls municipality dumps raw sewage into Zambezi (12/11/2010)