A toxic substance has been detected in a water source in the village of Missaua, in Mozambique’s Changara district, forcing authorities to close it down and potentially affecting more than 3,500 people.
Laboratory analysis conducted by a multi-sectoral team from the provincial health and public works departments confirmed the presence of the substance. While authorities did not immediately identify the chemical, they cited its “toxic properties” as the reason for the closure.
The provincial director of Public Works, Nelson Tsuze, confirmed that routine tests will continue to monitor the water source for any traces of the substance. The discovery highlights the public health and safety challenges facing remote communities in the region, which often rely on a limited number of water points for daily use.
The incident underscores the vulnerability of water infrastructure to contamination and the need for ongoing monitoring to ensure the safety of drinking water sources in Mozambique’s rural areas.
