Adding to information supplied by Rand Water and the NICD early this week, the Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) Water Services Division addressed fears surrounding bacteria in municipal tap water that cause typhoid fever.

Also read: ‘Recent typhoid cases not linked to tap water’ – Rand Water

In a communique from the MCLM it is noted that, “Messages circulating largely on social media platforms warning members of the public not to drink municipality supplied water, linking it to a typhoid fever outbreak have created some panic across the country.

Amidst widespread circulation of these messages, Mogale City’s Water Services conducted the necessary drinking water analysis in accordance with the South African National Standards (SANS) 241: 2015 Drinking Water Standards and can confirm that Mogale City supplied water is safe to drink.

“Typhoid fever is a disease caused by Salmonella serotype typhi bacteria. As the country’s leading bulk water supplier to Mogale City and others, Rand Water has disinfection water treatment processes in place to inactivate bacteria such as Salmonella typhi. The treatment includes primary chlorine, secondary monochloramine, and in certain locations, tertiary hypochlorite disinfection processes.

Rand Water also monitors for Escherichia coli, a bacterium used to indicate the presence of other bacteria in drinking water, and all reports show that drinking water supplied by Rand Water complies with (SANS) 241: 2015.

“In addition to Rand Water checks, the municipality also monitors water provided to communities daily, and all drinking water samples tested complied and pose no health risk.

“We continue to appeal to all residents and businesses operating in the city to ignore faceless messages and only heed communiques shared via the Mogale City website, WhatsApp notices branded with our logo, and other local media platforms.”