Environmental
Government Urges Residents Near Kafue River to Avoid Water Use
Zambian authorities warn communities along the Kafue River to avoid using the water due to contamination from a recent acid spill originating from a collapsed tailings dam at a nearby mine.
Zambian officials have issued urgent warnings to residents living near the Kafue River, advising them to refrain from using river water for drinking, irrigation, or domestic purposes. The contamination stems from a February collapse of a tailings dam at a copper mine upstream, which released an estimated 50 million liters of acidic waste laden with heavy metals into the river system. Environmental agencies are monitoring the spread of pollution and its effects on crops, livestock, and groundwater. The government has initiated emergency measures, including water testing and awareness campaigns, to mitigate immediate health risks while planning longer-term rehabilitation of the affected ecosystems.
- Status
- active
- Location
- Along the Kafue River, Zambia
- Date added
- 2026-03-26 06:15 UTC
- Last updated
- 2026-03-26 06:15 UTC
- Source
- Africanews
- Connected threats
- Not provided