Africa-Press – Mozambique. Mozambique’s Southern Regional Water Board (ARA-Sul) has announced that a significant change in the colour of the water in the Limpopo River, in the southern province of Gaza, suggests possible contamination “and therefore direct consumption of this water should be avoided.”
In a statement, ARA-Sul revealed that the water along the Limpopo River has greenish tones. The coloration has been observed from upstream areas in the territories of South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe, extending to downstream regions in Mozambican territory.
“Technical teams from the countries that share management of the Limpopo basin are currently collecting water samples at strategic points in the basin, with the aim of having them analyzed by accredited laboratories”, reads the document.
According to ARA-Sul, while the laboratory investigation is taking place, the water from the Limpopo should not be used for human consumption, irrigation or for livestock.
“Any abnormalities observed in the river should be immediately reported to the competent authorities. With this measure, we intend to reinforce the commitment to protecting water resources and the safety of riverside communities. We will continue releasing updated information as the data becomes available”, the document says.
However, the South African authorities, cited by the local press, have guaranteed that the results of laboratory tests on water samples from the Limpopo were negative on July 15, and the water has been confirmed as safe for consumption.
The Limpopo is the second largest river in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), with a length of about 1,600 km. The Limpopo basin covers about 415,000 square kilometres. The river is the main water source for millions of people living in Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
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