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Bulawayo residents have raised concern over deteriorating water quality after city health officials reported mixed results from routine bacteriological tests and confirmed complaints of discoloured and contaminated water in some suburbs.According to the latest Bulawayo City Council minutes on water quality monitoring and environmental pollution, Director of Health Services Edwin Mzingwane Sibanda said 88 routine bacteriological samples were collected from designated points and sent to Criterion Laboratory for analysis.Of the 88 samples tested:• 69 (78%) were negative for faecal coliforms• 53 (60%) were satisfactory for non‑faecal coliforms• 69 (78%) were satisfactory for total plate count• Only 42 samples (48%) were satisfactory across all three parametersThe report noted that all samples were satisfactory for pH and turbidity, meaning water clarity and acidity levels met required standards.However, residents in Old Lobengula raised alarm on 22 January 2026 after reporting whitish particles, foul smell and worms appearing in stored tap water.Council officials visited the affected homes the following day.“Water from the tap was said to have whitish particles, smelly and worms were seen in the containers on day 3 of storage,” the minutes stated.Four neighbouring houses confirmed that water was not clear when supplies were restored on 19 January. Health officials distributed WaterGuard and conducted hygiene education on safe storage, handwashing and environmental cleanliness.No samples were collected during the investigation due to water‑shedding, and follow‑up visits also failed to obtain samples because water was unavailable. Council said bacteriological tests would be conducted once water supply resumed.The minutes also recorded a sewer blockage complaint behind a factory on 23 January, which caused foul odours, flies and occasional backflows.

The matter was referred to the sanitation department, although some pipes were found to be worn out and in need of replacement.In another incident, council attended to a water drainage blockage caused by a construction company depositing sand and building materials on sanitary land, resulting in water flowing into the Musasa Project Centre building. An intimation was issued ordering the company to remove the materials.Council further collected two sewage effluent samples from Richmond and Cowdray Park sentinel sites for polio virus surveillance, with samples sent to the National Virology Laboratory.The mixed results and rising complaints have heightened public frustration, with residents demanding consistent water quality and improved monitoring as the city continues to battle water shortages and ageing infrastructure. More on:#Bulawayo_water_quality_concerns,#Old_Lobengula_contaminated_water,#BCC_bacteriological_samples,#Bulawayo_sewer_blockages,#Edwin_Sibanda_Health_Services,#Bulawayo_water_complaints_2026Join the discussionLoading comments…Enable JavaScript to view comments.