Communities rely on ‘contaminated’ water for survival

COMMUNITIES along the Vaal River have reported that they have no choice but to consume water from contaminated sources, despite a cholera alert issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS).

Water authorities at the Frances Baard, Magareng, Dikgatlong, Sol Plaatje, Siyancuma and Phokwane municipalities have been instructed to implement stringent disinfection and chlorination treatment processes. The DWS has also advised residents not to drink untreated water from the river.

Residents of Droogfontein, located about 33 kilometres outside Kimberley, as well as communities in Barkly West, Gong Gong, Pniel and Longlands, indicated that they have no alternative water sources besides the “contaminated” Vaal River.

“We are still eating fish caught in the Vaal River,” one resident said.

In Pampierstad, residents complained that no water had been distributed, leaving the town without water for the past three weeks.

Phokwane Service Delivery Forum president and Phokwane Speaker Michael Castro Setlhogomi believed the municipality should hold the contractor who allegedly damaged a pipe at the reservoir accountable and recoup any financial losses from them.

“Councillor Mkhulu Tumodi and myself engaged the technical director and Vaal Central to resolve this matter with urgency. We will be monitoring the situation. Another cause for concern is the failure to inform the community in time and failure to provide alternative water sources,” said Setlhogomi.

He added that the ongoing water crisis in Pampierstad and cholera scare amounted to an “unprecedented public health emergency”.

“Over the past few weeks, the water supply in Pampierstad has been muddy and slimy. There are growing suspicions that untreated sewage spills and farm chemicals are polluting the river. Chemicals such as nitrates and phosphates can create favourable conditions for cholera bacteria to thrive.”

Phokwane Municipality spokesperson Kgalalelo Letshabo said a contractor had damaged a pipe at the Pampierstad reservoir while they were working on site.

“There is currently a project ongoing for the replacement of asbestos pipes, the bulk water infrastructure project and the upgrading of the pump station,” said Letshabo.

She indicated that the water was effectively restored in Pampierstad on October 15, although certain areas had experienced longer delays.

“As a contingency plan, the municipality supplied water by means of water tankering services by filling up all the JoJo tanks provided by the municipality in strategic areas.”

DA provincial leader Harold McGluwa was also concerned about the possible contamination of sewage spilling into the Orange River.

“Our water sources must be rehabilitated and protected at all costs,” he said.