A recent report released by the Department of Water and Sanitation has found that the Mmabatho Waste Water Treatment Plant in North West, which Mahikeng residents get drinking water from, has major water quality issues.
The Blue Drop Watch Report, where technical site assessments are done at 1 or 2 systems in each water service district, reflects the conditions of the raw water and handling system, the water treatment plant as well as the delivery and distribution system.
The Mmabatho Waste Water Treatment Plant showed only 48% microbiological compliance and the report found that there are no adequate measures in place to ensure compliance to drinking water quality and it holds a significant risk to the community. Locals such as Tshepo Kola say they rather buy purified water.
“The taste of the water that we receive around our areas has a smell that is not quite OK. And the taste, therefore, is different. So on the basis of that, together with my family, we prefer not to drink the municipality water. We rather opted to buy water from the shops.”
Many other residents share Kola’s sentiments.
“Previously we used to use dam water or river water to drink, and eat, and cook, and do everything, but now, since this new life has come, we no more use that because cholera is now here.”
“I prefer buying water because I don’t like the taste coming from the tap water. It has a metallic taste. It just tastes awful”
“Municipalities are not taking care of water treatment plants and then people are not feeling safe to drink tap water. So, we rely too much on still water.”
However, not all residents can afford to buy purified water and for those who depend on water provided by the government.
A word of advice boil your tap water before consuming it as a safety precaution.
Tebogo Lekgethwane is the spokeperson for the North West Department of Health.
“The department is quite aware of the fears of some of the communities about safe drinking water, especially in the area affected by cholera, there is nothing wrong to buy water in the shops, for those who can afford to buy it. However, people can still boil water. We encourage boiling water before it can be used. The department is also encouraging hygiene among our people. They need to always make sure that their toilets are cleaned with safe detergents or soap and wash their hands before preparing food.”
Magalies water, which is responsible for water provision in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District says the Mmabatho wastewater treatment plant is sitting at 98.49% microbiological compliance.
This, though a letter seen by the SABC from the Water and Sanitation Department raises concern about non-compliance to microbiological and chemical determinants.
Discussion on how to overcome SA’s water scarcity challenges:
