Hammanskraal’s water is “safe for human consumption”, according to Tshwane mayor Stevens Mokgalapa.
This follows “independent” and “credible” tests by the metro following recent complaints of contaminated water in the area
“Claims of contaminated water are false rumours designed to cause panic,” Mokgalapa told a press briefing on Wednesday.
“The tests proved the water is safe to drink.”
The quality tests were held by the Department of Water and Sanitation.
“The continued politicking about the quality of Hammanskraal drinking water is causing unnecessary panic,” said Mokgalapa.
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He therefor instructed that water samples be collected on 12 March 2019 by an external body.
“We can assure the residents of Tshwane we will continue to monitor all water treatment plants, reservoirs and distribution networks for compliance with drinking water standards,” said Mokgalapa.
Magalies Water, the city laboratory team and Rietvlei Laboratory collected samples at the same sampling points and showed similar results.
On Monday, 25 March, Mokgalapa visited Hammanskraal Water Treatment Plant as part of his so-called accelerated service delivery programme.
“I was taken through the whole process of water treatment and drank the water myself,” he said.
“I am satisfied and can confidently say that the water is drinkable and odourless.”
The independent results showed that the microbiological parameters (e-coli and faecal coliform) are 100% compliant in terms of the South African national drinking water standard.
The following turbidity and ammonia parameters are non-compliant.
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These parameters are, however, aesthetic in nature. This means it does not pose any health risk, but are rather related to the appearance, odour and taste of the water.
The overall compliance, as determined by Magalies Water, is 94.79% complaint.
“We are not deterred by these futile attempts to discredit our work. We are confident in the quality of water.”
Mokgalapa said politics should not be confused with the provision of basic services and normal government business.
“I challenge the ANC in Hammanskraal to join me in providing basic services to residents and leave politics to the business of council,” he said.
Mokgalapa said the construction of the new Temba water reservoir plant was completed at the end of January 2019, whereafter testing of the new equipment commenced.
“The testing should be completed at the end of March.”
He said the metro remained committed to providing clean and safe water.
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