uThukela Water addresses concerns about water poisoning
A cell phone message resulted in widespread panic about the tap water in Newcastle and Dundee being poisoned by mining activity in the area.
Estella Naicker
A cell phone message cautioning residents not to drink water as it has been poisoned spread rapidly today.
The widespread distribution of this message followed a discussion on East Coast Radio about mine water contamination.
Water samples that were taken by uThukela Water this morning, however, shows that tap water is safe for consumption as per the national standards.
Promising to release the full test results first thing in the morning, uThukela Water released the following statement this evening to reassure residents:
“It was brought to uThukela Water’s attention that cell phone messages are being distributed that the drinking water in the above areas contains poison and should not be consumed. The message reads that the water should be boiled as poison from a mine has entered the water. This message is being distributed after a discussion was held on East Coast Radio concerning mine water contamination.
“uThukela Water gives the assurance to the customers in the above supply areas receiving water from the Ngagane (Newcastle) and Biggarsberg (Dundee) Water Plants, that the water is safe for human consumption and without contamination.
“Samples collected from the final water produced at the water plants and in the distribution systems that were tested on yesterday and today met the SANS 241 drinking water standards and is safe for human consumption.”
