Barkly West residents collect water. File picture
THE SOL Plaatje Municipality in Kimberley has assured residents that its water is safe for consumption, following a warning from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) advising communities along the Harts and Vaal rivers, from Christiana downstream, not to drink or come into contact with untreated water after cholera was detected.
DWS spokesperson Wisane Mavasa confirmed that water samples taken from five sites revealed the presence of cholera.
“During routine raw water sampling in September, water samples from five sites, namely, Barkly West Caravan Park, Douglas Weir, Schweizer Reneke, Christiana and Wentzel Dam indicated the presence of cholera. Follow-up samples on the river are in process and will indicate the extent and area of caution,” said Mavasa.
“The Vaal River is a ‘workhorse river’ and is serving the Northern Cape, Free State, North West and Gauteng provinces. It supplies water to various users for domestic, industrial, mining and agricultural use.”
Mavasa said municipalities have been urged to take extra precautions in water treatment.
“The communities under the Frances Baard District Municipality, Pixley ka Seme and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati municipalities and the water services authorities in the area have been requested to take extra care in the water treatment process, disinfection and chlorination of water. The chlorination of water is effective in safeguarding water from the risk of cholera. The Sol Plaatje, Magareng, Dikgatlong, Siyancuma, Phokwane, Greater Taung, Leekwa Teemane and Naledi municipalities treat water from rivers to ensure it is safe for consumption. Water is tested to ensure it is safe for drinking.”
Mavasa added that they are investigating the source of the problem and any water deemed unsafe will not be supplied to communities.
“Water not meeting the required standards will not be supplied for drinking and domestic use. All possible pollution sources - from Bloemhof Dam to Douglas - are being considered, specifically from the discharge of wastewater treatment works. The required compliance monitoring and enforcement activities will continue to ensure compliance.”
Mavasa advised communities to ensure that they consume treated water.
“The department would like to remind members of the public that rivers, dams and streams contain raw, untreated water and this water is not suitable for human consumption. We therefore urge members of the public to avoid consuming untreated water sourced from such water bodies unless it is disinfected.
“The National Institute for Communicable Diseases has also set out guidelines that should be followed regarding safe drinking water. The municipalities are encouraged to instruct water users to boil their water for drinking purposes as an extra safety precaution where results from the laboratory or operational monitoring may indicate risk,” Mavasa said.
Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Thabo Mothibi assured residents that the municipality follows strict daily quality assurance protocols.
“Our water remains safe based on the quality assurance measures that we adhere to. We are monitoring the raw water quality and continue to adjust the application of chemicals in treating water as per the required standards. Residents will be notified should any other developments occur in relation to the municipality not meeting the regulatory requirements,” Mothibi said.