Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
stream due to base flow. In addition, it was observed that due to improper solid waste
collection practice, the stream was used as a dumpsite for solid waste of predominantly
inorganic character. Old utensils as cooking pots, paper, plastics and rubber waste, old
clothes and a variety of other waste material could be found along the stream banks and
within the stream bed and the flood plain. An illustration of the stream is shown in Figure
5.1.
As result of the recognisance visit the following types of land use patterns were
identified:
• Formal Housing - This is the original land use pattern established by the municipality.
It consists of low cost houses that are provided with a central water supply system and
sewerage. However, houses formally designed for up to six people now accommodate
more than twelve people. Due to the existence of an acute shortage of housing and the
high cost of renting in the formal housing developments, some landlords have illegally
constructed small adjacent houses also known as “shacks” for leasing. These informal
housing establishments, within the formally developed areas, do not have adequate
water and sewerage collection systems and this fact, in most cases, results in illegal
discharges of raw sewage to the existing drainage system and nearby water bodies. An
illustration of a formal low cost house together with informal “shacks” is shown in
Figure 5.2.
• Commercial Establishments - These represent the markets and any trading activities
within the residential suburb. In most cases, the market places consist of unregulated
shades, and are the source of considerable amount of solid waste, which is not
collected and is spreading along the area and the drainage channels, which are the
favourite dumping sites.
• Schools - These usually have a reticulated water supply and proper sewerage systems.
Solid water management is again a problematic issue but it is handled at a higher level
in schools and other educational facilities. In Zimbabwe, most schools comprise large
open grounds, with corresponding areas for recreation, gardens and sports facilities,
which, however, are susceptible to pollution originating from the improper disposal of
litters.
