Nabajjuzi Pollution: NWSC Decries Water Treatment Costs

National Water and Sewerage Corporation-NWSC has decried the high water treatment costs resulting from unabated pollution of Nabajjuzi Wetland in Masaka district.  

 

Nabajjuzi Wetland, which was declared a Ramsar site, is the only source of water for human consumption in and around Masaka municipality. It runs from Rakai to Kyojja wetland before connecting to River Katonga.

 

Despite its vital role, Nabajjuza wetland is under constant threat because of silting and pollution resulting from human activities. Some residents cultivate in the catchment area of the wetland while other have erected houses.

 

URN saw gardens of yams, cabbages, tomatoes and watermelon in the wetlands. The human activities have greatly affected National Water and Sewerage Corporation, which pumps water from Nabajjuzi wetland.

 

 

Joseph Mugenyi, the NWSC Masaka regional branch, says the wetland is heavily polluted with all sorts of waste including baby pampers, sanitary pads, human wastes and polythen bags among others. He says workers from NWSC have to remove the waste from the water each day.

 

He says since the water is too dirty, they have to use a lot of chemicals to treat it thoroughly before supplying it for human consumption, which has increased their operational costs.

 

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Mugyenyi says their monthly operational cost has increased from Shillings 90million to Shillings 120million.  Ibrahim Kabugo, the Masaka District Production and Natural Resources Secretary, blames the municipal area land committees and physical planners for allowing people to construct near the wetland.





He says they tried to evict Gonzaga Mayanja, the proprietor of Gayaza Beach from Nabajuzi Wetland but he showed them documents showing that his plan was approved.

Mariam Tusiime, a resident of Masaka says the water supplied in the town is of poor quality.

 

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Martin Kigozi, the Physical Planner Masaka municipality who is accused of approving constructions next to the wetland declined to comment on the matter.