THE Water Resources Management Authority has revealed that part of the Kamfinsa Stream on the Copperbelt has been contaminated after a truck laden with Sodium Hydroxide plunged into the stream at the Kamfinsa bridge on Thursday.

And WARMA has warned that the Kamfinsa bridge may be submerged due to increased rains as the flood mark level at the bridge is of higher elevation than the design height of the bridge.

In a statement, Saturday, WARMA Public Relations Officer Nalwendo Mubiana however assured that the authority, in collaboration with other stakeholders, would continue monitoring the situation along the Kamfinsa stream and the public would be kept informed.

He advised the public to avoid using the raw water or indeed doing any recreational activities along the stream, at the accident scene or downstream within the vicinity until further notice.

“The Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) has received with concern, the possible chemical contamination of water on Kamfinsa Stream as a result of the road traffic accident at Kamfinsa bridge, on the Ndola/Kitwe dual carriageway of the Copperbelt Province. Our preliminary findings have revealed that on 17th February 2022, a truck laden with Sodium Hydroxide, plunged into Kamfinsa stream at Kamfinsa bridge, posing a risk of water contamination that may compromise the ability of the stream to support human and aquatic life. Sodium hydroxide is a white crystalline material that readily absorbs moisture and dissolves in water and is highly corrosive,” he stated.

“Our preliminary findings from water samples collected at the accident scene as well as upstream and downstream [of] the accident scene have revealed that the contamination is localized around the accident scene. The Authority in collaboration with stakeholders shall continue monitoring the situation along the Kamfinsa stream and the public will be kept informed. The public is therefore advised to avoid using the raw water or indeed doing any recreational activities along the Kamfinsa stream, at the accident scene or downstream within the vicinity until further notice.”

And WARMA has warned that the Kamfinsa bridge may be submerged due to increased rains as the flood mark level at the bridge is of higher elevation than the design height of the bridge.

“Furthermore, the Authority has established that the flood mark level at the Kamfinsa bridge is of higher elevation than the design height of the bridge. It is therefore anticipated that any further increase in rainfall activity might result in stream overflow above the bridge. Motorists using the Ndola/Kitwe Road are advised to take precautions at all times when approaching Kamfinsa bridge during this rainy season,” warned Nalwendo.