water contamination

AR party calls on government to declare a public health emergency in Tsumeb

The Affirmative Repositioning party has called on the government to declare a public health emergency in Tsumeb following a recent study by the University of Bern, Switzerland, which revealed alarming levels of arsenic contamination in the town’s soil, plants, and residents. John Johannes, an AR activist for the Oshikoto Region, urged the government to prioritise the medical needs of affected residents in a statement on Monday. Activist Rob Parker […]

29 January, 2025 52

World

Concern over byproduct of disinfectants found in U.S. drinking water

Researchers have identified a new chemical in U.S. drinking water, which is thought to be a by-product of the disinfectants used for decades to clean water of bacteria and water-borne illnesses. Scientists have recommended more research into the previously unknown compound to work out if it poses a threat to public health. Caroline Malone reports.

25 November, 2024 34

Africa

Aluminium foil that can clean water: we’ve developed a coating which attracts and traps dangerous microbes

John Fredricks/NurPhoto By Taufiq Ihsan, Universitas Andalas More than 2 billion people around the world do not have access to safe, uncontaminated drinking water. Around 418 million of them live in African countries. The problem is most acute in rural communities, where people’s primary water sources are rivers, lakes and hand-dug wells, which are often contaminated with harmful pathogens. This contamination is caused by inadequate sanitation facilities, open […]

2 September, 2024 46

Africa

Nigeria’s cholera outbreaks: why they happen and are so hard to control

By Stella Ifeanyi Smith, Mountain Top University On 9 June 2024 the Lagos State government declared a cholera outbreak. Three days later, it announced that 324 suspected cases had been reported in the state, including 15 people who died and 40 who were discharged after treatment. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reported that as of 11 June, 1,141 suspected cholera […]

27 June, 2024 32

Africa

In climate-related flooding, a Ugandan river turns poisonous

By Ashoka Mukpo Uganda’s Nyamwamba river, in the Rwenzori Mountains, has begun to flood catastrophically in recent years, partly due to climate change. Along the river are copper tailings pools from an old Canadian mining operation, which are becoming increasingly eroded by the flooding. According to a series of studies, these tailings have been washing into the water supply and soil of the Nyamwamba River Basin, contaminating human tissue, food […]

11 March, 2024 86

Africa

From trash to power: how to harness energy from Africa’s garbage dumps – and save billions in future damage

By Nkweauseh Reginald Longfor, Sophia University New research on garbage dumps in 44 sub-Saharan African countries shows that 95% are unregulated. The landfill sites still take in new garbage even when they are filled to capacity. As the waste decomposes, these sites release harmful greenhouse gases. However, using the methane gas to generate energy instead could save the continent billions of dollars. We talk to sustainability scientist and author of […]

12 December, 2023 35

Namibia

SAUMA opposes Leonardville Uranium mining

The Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association says the anticipated uranium mining at Leonardville should not be done for short-term economic benefit at the expense of community members, who could lose their livelihoods due to the contamination of the Stampriet Artesian Basin. Here’s the Association’s Divan Opperman.

23 November, 2023 56

Namibia

Ondangwa and Omuthiya without water

Residents of Ondangwa up to Omuthiya were left with dry taps since Tuesday night due to a pipe burst at the J&M Complex in Ondangwa. NamWater’s chief strategy and corporate affairs officer Kadiva Hamutumwa, confirmed this on Wednesday, saying the pipe broke on Tuesday night around 23h00 at Ondangwa. According to Hamutumwa, the Oshali pipeline runs under the Ondangwa J&M Complex. “As a result of the pipeline break, water supply […]

15 November, 2023 21