Koboko district bans car washers from river banks
KOBOKO district has banned the washing of vehicles and motorcycles near river banks to check water pollution.
By Andrew Amvesi
KOBOKO district has banned the washing of vehicles and motorcycles near river banks to check water pollution.
In a letter of December 6 to car washers on Apa, Kochi, Harizona, Ore and Kiru rivers, the district environment officer, Albert Opima, said petroleum products from vehicles are swept into the water, stopping the circulation of oxygen, leading to the death of aquatic life.
The oil, Opima added, also pollutes water for domestic use, causing health hazards.
“Many people suffer from respiratory disease without knowing the cause,†he noted.
Pollution, Opima added, gets worse in the dry season because the wastes cannot be washed away as happens in the rainy season.
Opima urged those involved in the car washing business to set up washing bays with oil intercepting tanks at least 20 to 30 metres away from water bodies.
He warned that serious measures would be taken against those who fail to comply.
However, the cleaners, opposed the ban, saying it came at a short notice.
“How shall we carry water from water bodies to far away washing bays when we do not even have utensils?†Asked Muzamil Khemis, who operates on River Apa.
He urged the district officials to allocate them alternative areas to operate from before implementing the ban.
The fisheries officer, Gasper Candia, hailed the move, saying petroleum products kill natural organisms on which fish feed, which affects their growth.
KOBOKO district has banned the washing of vehicles and motorcycles near river banks to check water pollution.
In a letter of December 6 to car washers on Apa, Kochi, Harizona, Ore and Kiru rivers, the district environment officer, Albert Opima, said petroleum products from vehicles are swept into the water, stopping the circulation of oxygen, leading to the death of aquatic life.
The oil, Opima added, also pollutes water for domestic use, causing health hazards.
“Many people suffer from respiratory disease without knowing the cause,†he noted.
Pollution, Opima added, gets worse in the dry season because the wastes cannot be washed away as happens in the rainy season.
Opima urged those involved in the car washing business to set up washing bays with oil intercepting tanks at least 20 to 30 metres away from water bodies.
He warned that serious measures would be taken against those who fail to comply.
However, the cleaners, opposed the ban, saying it came at a short notice.
“How shall we carry water from water bodies to far away washing bays when we do not even have utensils?†Asked Muzamil Khemis, who operates on River Apa.
He urged the district officials to allocate them alternative areas to operate from before implementing the ban.
The fisheries officer, Gasper Candia, hailed the move, saying petroleum products kill natural organisms on which fish feed, which affects their growth.