The Authority’s Environmental Monitoring Programme (EMP) consists of monthly, quarterly and bi-annual sampling of the Zambezi River and its tributaries. The focus of the programme is on monitoring water quality and water weeds.
Water quality data collection and processing activities are carried out for all stations on Lake Kariba and the Zambezi River. Physico-chemical and bacteriological monitoring is undertakenin-situ and at the Authority’s Environmental Laboratory. The water quality parameters monitored include Temperature, pH, Electrical Conductivity, Dissolved Oxygen, Alkalinity, Total Suspended Solids, Total Dissolved Substances, Turbidity, Total and Ortho Phosphorus, Chlorophyll, Ammonia, Alkalinity and Faecal Coliforms. Water quality parameters are monitored against specified quality standards in the Water Quality Guidelines that were developed by Zambezi River Authority and respective stakeholders
Weed monitoring on Lake Kariba is done through physical and biological monitoring as well as using satellite imagery. The spatial variabilityof water quality parameters and weed spread in the Lake is assessed by the use of the Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing.
