WhatsApp hoax claims Durban’s tap water is contaminated
While tap water is still safe to drink, raw sewage has been flowing unhindered into the sea at the Westbrook Blue Flag beach for more than four weeks.
Hoax messages about the safety of our tap water have been doing the rounds this week, amid ongoing strike action by Ethekwini municipal workers.
Service delivery came to a halt in the city last Tuesday, with services departments such as Electricity, Water, Sanitation, Parks and Durban Solid Waste on strike outside Durban City Hall.
The message reads:
NOTICE: Please refrain from using and drinking tap water. Municipal workers have sabotaged the water system by opening sewage water into the main water system. This is causing sickness such as vomiting, diarrhea and high fever. The symptoms are similar to the gastric flu.
Ethekwini Municipality took to social media to address the rumours.
Residents are assured that tap water is very safe to drink and are requested to disregard hoax messages that are circulating on social media to the contrary.
— eThekwini Municipality (@eThekwiniM) May 6, 2019
Siza Water Managing Director Shyam Misra also confirmed that there are many hoax messages doing the rounds, however Siza Water has not been affected and Dolphin Coast tap water is safe to drink.
While our tap water may be free from contamination, raw sewage has been flowing unhindered into the sea at the Westbrook Blue Flag beach for more than four weeks.
Westbrook councillor Geoff Pullan said officials were aware of the problem, but were unable to fix it because of the ongoing municipal strike.
Also read: Raw sewage flows into the sea at Westbrook beach
“The industrial action by municipal workers has seen tampering with valves and even restricting access to facilities.
“Regrettably many of our pump stations have been affected and the Westbrook Beach pump station, it seems, is one of them,” said Pullan.
Be the first to receive breaking news straight to your device with our newly launched push notifications! Simply visit our website and click on the icon shown above.
Do you want to receive news alerts from The North Coast Courier via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 061 718 4438.
Please read our WhatsApp broadcast list disclaimer.
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.
Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.
