The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) said it is aware of the ‘rumours’ falsely implicating municipal water supply to enteric fever outbreak.

According to the metro spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, the CoE supplies water of good quality, and the rumours are false.

“The potable water supplied by Rand Water and distributed by the city’s water and sanitation department is of excellent quality,” said Dlamini.

Dlamini explained that the water quality section, within the city, conducts ongoing sampling and analysis of the tap water at various sampling points to confirm compliance to the South African National Standard for Drinking Water SANS 241.

“These sampling points range from direct connections, reservoirs, distribution network points, clinics and end of the network user points. The sampling intervals range from daily, weekly and monthly whereby the CoE confirms that the water is clean and safe to drink and for use by all residents and businesses throughout the city.

“Provision of water lies with the municipalities, as prescribed by the Constitution, the Municipal Structures Act and the Water Services Act. The City of Ekurhuleni continues to ensure the provision of effective, efficient and sustainable water services. The municipality frequently makes the results of the tests done on the water supplied to our residents accessible to the public.”

Water quality needs to comply with the following:

Acute Health: Determinant that poses an immediate unacceptable health risk if present at concentration values exceeding the numerical limits as specified in SANS 241.

Aesthetic: Determinant that taints water with respect to taste, odour or colour and that does not pose an unacceptable health risk if present at concentration values exceeding the numerical limits as specified in SANS 241.

Chronic Health: Determinant that poses an unacceptable health risk if ingested over an extended period if present at concentration values exceeding the numerical limits as specified in SANS 241.

Microbiological Health Compliance: Microbial water quality is the state of the water with respect to the absence (good water quality) or presence (poor water quality) of certain disease-causing micro-organisms.

Where a microbiological value exceeds the numerical limit as specified in SANS an unacceptable risk to human health is implied. As the microbiological value increases, in increasing risk to health is implied.

Operational: Determinant that is essential for assessing the efficient operation of treatment systems and risks to infrastructure.

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