WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT FOR UPPER CHINYIKA RIVER IN ZIMBABWE.

Water of suitable quality supports the health of the ecosystems and that of the organisms that live in it and consequently human health. Any physical, chemical or biological condition that prevents the designated uses of a water body represents poor water quality. Effluent water is always associated with environmental and human health problems. Many wastewater treatment plants were designed to remove nutrients and pathogens. However, there are many factors that lead to their failure to perform effectively. A study was carried out at Hatcliffe Sewage Treatment Works (HSTW), a major supplier of water to upper parts of Chinyika River in Zimbabwe. The effluent pollution level was analyzed. Chemical water quality parameters were analyzed according to the standard methods for analysis of water and wastewater and biological water quality was based on results obtained by Matenga (2004). It was found that HSTW affects the quality of water in upper Chinyika River chemically and biologically. It was also inferred that upgrading the wastewater treatment plant cannot alone achieve improved water quality. However, integrating sediment dredging, enhancing public participation, institutional cooperation and internalizing of environmental externalities could improve water quality of upper Chinyika River.