MOZAMBIQUE’S Southern Regional Water Administration (ARA-Sul) has issued a warning regarding a potential contamination of the Limpopo River, which flows through four African countries. Authorities say water samples are currently being collected for laboratory analysis.
“The water displays a greenish hue, a discolouration reported from upstream areas in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana, extending downstream into Mozambican territory,” reads a statement released by ARA-Sul on Monday.
The bloom, which began on 14 July, prompted ARA-Sul to collect water samples to assess whether the water poses any risks to human and animal health.
ARA-Sul, the body responsible for managing water resources in southern Mozambique, said that joint teams from the four countries sharing the Limpopo River basin are collecting water samples from “strategic points” to be analysed in accredited laboratories.
The objective of the testing is to determine the source of the contamination — whether industrial, algal, mining-related, or from agricultural or domestic effluents — and to identify the nature of the pollutants, which could include chemicals, microbiological agents, toxic algae, or micropollutants.
ARA-Sul is set to release laboratory test results this Monday concerning the quality of water in the Limpopo River.
Speaking to Rádio Moçambique, Ivan Cuna, Director of Limpopo River Basin Management, said the outcome of the tests will determine whether authorities impose restrictions on the use of the river water for human consumption, animal watering, or other activities.
Cuna explained that the algae bloom is a result of excess nutrients in the water, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen, largely originating from mining activities in upstream countries.
He added that the current discolouration and odour of the water are already enough to discourage consumption in the Limpopo River basin.
While awaiting the results, Mozambican authorities are urging the public to refrain from using water directly from the river — whether for domestic use, human consumption, irrigation, or livestock — and to report any abnormalities in the watercourse immediately to the authorities.
