Assessing the State of Water Supply and Sanitation in Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwe 2008 -2009 cholera outbreak has been the deadliest and longest in Africa in 15 years spreading to neighbouring countries. This book assesses the state of water supply and sanitation in Harare, to determine the factors leading to the high prevalence of cholera. The study established that the crumbling and dilapidated water supply and sanitation infrastructure, coupled with poor waste management and erosion of hygiene behaviour, has led to the highest records of cases and deaths ever recorded in Zimbabwean history. The situation has been aggravated by very close to the surface water table, which allowed easy contamination of ground water through seepage and overland flow.The study therefore recommends a complete overhaul of the water and sanitation infrastructure proper management of wastes, adequate preliminary study of ground water when digging and drilling wells and bore holes respectively, proper enforcement of water and sanitation regulations, and strengthening of WASH education. The analysis should be useful to development planners, residence, academics and policy makers to make informed decisions in water supply and sanitation issues.