E. coli concerns in our water supply? Municipality denies, but activists push back

After residents in Bekkersdal expressed concerns about contaminated water, the CEO of the Federation for a Sustainable Environment, Mariette Liefferink, has noted that drinking water in Bekkersdal and Simunye may contain elevated levels of E. coli and faecal coliforms.

Civil society organisations Be the Future Foundation, WaterCAN, Ahmed Kathrada Foundation and Defend Our Democracy have collaborated to warn the Rand West City Local Municipality (RWCLM) about the suspicion that the water supply in those areas is unsafe.

These organisations conducted independent tests and found that seven out of 11 water samples were contaminated with E. coli and total coliforms.

• Also read: Water war: Municipality denies claims of contaminated water

However, RWCLM denied the allegations.

“Rand Water conducted tests on July 22 with samples from Bekkersdal and Simunye. The results confirmed the water is not contaminated,” municipal spokesperson Phillip Montshiwa stated.

“Even though these false statements were not verified, we requested a recent scientific report to assure residents that the quality of the water is high. This report can be made available on request,” he continued.

The Randfontein Herald spoke to Liefferink, who explained that since the discharge of raw sewage into the Wonderfonteinspruit, it is highly plausible that the drinking water may contain elevated levels of E. coli and faecal coliforms. She stated that Bekkersdal and Simunye are residential areas within the Wonderfonteinspruit Catchment Area.

“The South African Human Rights Commission found that the situation regarding failings of waste wastewater treatment works in South Africa and its consequent pollution of South Africa’s water resources is a national disaster,” she said.

Liefferink received a letter from the Gauteng Department of Water and Sanitation, wherein it states the department is aware that RWCLM is contributing to the pollution of Wonderfonteinspruit from the Hannes van Niekerk Waste Water Treatment Works.

Furthermore, it read that the department sent a notice to RWCLM on May 31, 2022, which issued a directive in terms of Section 19 and Section 35 of the National Water Act (NWA). Section 19 imposes a duty of care on landowners and occupiers to prevent water resource pollution, while Section 35 outlines the process for verifying the extent of Existing Lawful Water Use under the Act.

The department granted the Water Services Authority the opportunity to send a representative within 14 business days; however, the department has not received a response since then.

• Read the initial article here: ‘Deafening silence’ as residents fear contaminated drinking water

On August 4, 2022, the department conducted a follow-up inspection at the treatment works, where they found several violations of the NWA and saw that the works were being vandalised.

Thereafter, the department stated that RWCLM was issued with a directive dated August 11, 2022. The department then received a business plan from RWCLM for funding to renovate the treatment works. The department is currently revising the funding request, however, noting that they had already awarded RWCLM with more than R200m’s funding in 2015.

The Herald reached out to Montshiwa regarding the directive as well as the funding request; however, no feedback has been received as of yet. An update will follow once their comment has been given.

Resident Siyabonga Ramphomane shared his concerns.

“We cannot even boil the water because we fear it might not help. There is also a lack of awareness about the situation. Most residents are unaware that the water is contaminated. It is such a pity that we, as residents, have to live like this. The municipality is infamous for not delivering services, but how can they possibly deny us such a basic human right?” he asked.

If your water looks off, send an email to dominiqued@caxton.co.za to let us know!