The Water Resorces Management Authority says it is highly suspected that the blue colouration of water from shallow wells in Garden House area could be coming from illegal activities residents could be doing in their homes.
WARMA says after over two months of in-depth follow-up investigation of suspected contamination of water in shallow wells of some parts of Garden House area in Lusaka West, water samples were collected from 15 shallow wells within the earmarked investigation zone, seven of which were confirmed to be affected by the blue colouration.
WARMA Public Relations Officer Joshua Kapila says technical investigations using field measurements and application software revealed that the groundwater flow direction within the affected area in Garden Park Area was from East to West.
He said sixteen different water quality parameters were analyzed.
Mr Kapila said all other 15 parameters were within the allowable maximum thresholds set for drinking water quality as stipulated by the Zambia Bureau of Standards and the World Health Organization drinking water guidelines.
He said results from the analysis revealed that the status of water quality failed to comply with stipulated drinking water quality standards only on the basis of color (sky-blue color) since water ought to be clear or colorless.
“Further Laboratory tests indicated that the elution pattern and characteristics of the blue coloration were like those of a food dye called “Patent Blue V.”, he added.
Mr Kapila said from the information gathered, residents held a firm belief that there could be a mineral (Copper or Emeralds) which were responsible for the colouration however, laboratory results showed low levels of Copper, Zinc and Sulphates in the blue coloured water.
He said WARMA will continue to undertake water quality investigations especially in wells that showed contamination and update the public on the progress.
So now what exactly is the cause of this blue color. Shouldn’t be too difficult to find out but we need to know fast…
Zambia professionals are a mess. Instead of simply saying the blue colour is due to compound X, they busy speaking English . UNZA has failed us really, its only producing well paid Family men and women who have no answers to tough questions
Why is simple chemistry, psychology and politics becoming a big deal in Zambia kanshi? Kwena eee.
You can say that again. We have learned morons in these institutions.
the water was not blue in the past so that rules out minerals, so its something else more sinister these investigators are not stupid as other posts have said, they have been told to shut up to protect the govt as its getting close to elections. that;s the real answer
keep your mouth shut and you keep your job when high paying jobs are hard to come by.