Dear Editor – Thank you for providing me with a space on your editorial page to bring to your attention the ongoing pollution of our water sources in Honiara.
People living near main streams and rivers in Honiara were the major cause of water pollution. These water sources have been polluted for many years without immediate restricted measures. Household waste, plastic, tins, bottles and even human defecation are among the major pollutants from our water sources.
Water pollution should be a concern because it is a major public crisis, linked to a lot of medical issues, such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid, particularly affecting children.
A filthy environment is an eye-sore which poses health risk to ourselves.
There should be laws to protect our rivers and streams. Control measures should discourage people living near rivers and streams from putting rubbish and waste into them.
Government authorities should emphasize the need to increase access to safely managed waste disposal and improve sanitation for all low-water-mark communities in Honiara, as a cost-effective means to mitigate these impacts.
Thank you
Mathias Gamali
USP SI Campus
