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Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 16:23:24 EST
Subject: ugnet_: Re: KAMPALA MAYOR WRONG
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RE: MAYOR SEBAANA KIZITO - WRONG
Let me start by referring to an article that appeared in Uganda's daily
newspaper the NEW VISION of February 10, 2000 that and quote 'KCC Defies
Minister on Kiteezi Dumping.'
The paper stated that Kampala City Council (KCC) had defied an order by the
water, lands and environment state minister to stop dumping solid waste at
Lusanja-Kiteezi in Mpigi district. The Minister, Hon. Baguma Isoke ordered
KCC to stop the dumping so that the ministry's chemists could carry out tests
on alleged wetland pollution in the area by toxins from the garbage.
Isoke's order came amid complaints from the area residents that their animals
were dying from taking toxic water. Aquatic life in the wetlands and nearby
streams is also reportedly exposed to high zinc sulphide levels in the water
due to chemicals from the site.
A report by the Chief Government Chemist released on July 3, 1997 said the
high zinc sulphide levels in the water made it unsafe for human and animal
use.
In response Kampala mayor Ssebaana Kizito has denied that KCC's dump was an
environmental and health hazard in the area. He said last week that Isoke's
order was a surprise to him.
Ssebaana said KCC had constructed three boreholes in the area and contracted
a foreign firm, Dott Services, to compact the garbage and cover it with soil.
"We have dug the bore holes so that people do not use the poisoned water.
"Meanwhile, we are working out measures of introducing internationally
accepted garbage disposal methods, including recycling. I don't see how it is
a threat to the people," Ssebaana said.
COMMENT:
The statement by the Mr. Sebana Kizito that KCC had dug bore holes so that
people do not use the poisoned water, shows the apparent ignorance of Mr.
Sebana Kizito and his team to finite nature of the ground water resource.
First, according to the mayor's statement, there is no relationship between
surface water and groundwater. The Mayor and KCC need to know that there is a
very important relationship between surface water and groundwater. Rainfall,
lakes, rivers replenish groundwater supply. What we put in lakes and rivers
will eventually end up in groundwater. Please advise the mayor to read about
the hydrologic cycle.
Second, the mayor thinks groundwater pollution cannot occur because it is so
far underground. This is a myth. The fact is pollution can occur as
contaminants move through the soil and filter down to the groundwater.
Contaminant sources include improper hazardous waste disposal, underground
storage leaking tanks, and malfunctioning septic systems. Once groundwater is
contaminated it may be impossible to clean it and because groundwater may
move 2"-3" a year it even makes it harder to clean it up.
Third, the mayor thinks that groundwater will last forever. This is also a
myth. Groundwater supplies although plentiful, misuse, overuse or
contamination can render it unusable and once contaminated groundwater may
remain unusable for generations.
ADVISE TO THE MAYOR:
First, His Worship the Mayor needs to know that the quality of the water
resources of an area are a primary indicator of environmental quality of that
area and that the watershed is an appropriate context for addressing
environmental management concerns.
Second, in order to address the issue of waste management in Kampala, the
mayor needs apply the hierarchy of waste management, including Waste Source
Reduction, Recycle, Incinerate and Landfill (lining the landfill).
Third, in future before the mayor makes statements about management of
natural resources, he should apply the three elements of responsible,
comprehensive resource management: applied science, economics, and
sociopolitical policy. What is the science saying? How is the science
defining the problem? What does economics say about what the science is
saying? And what are the sociopolitical factors?
Edward Nantamu
Environmental Tchnologist
System Enginnering & Monitoring Division
Fairfax, Virginia, USA
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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bwanika
url: www.idr.co.ug
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