Fears of possible water contamination at Mamelodi reservoir
Metal lids covering the reservoir at the top had been stolen and as a result the water inside was exposed to all forms of contamination.
Concerned residents of Mamelodi have called on the Tshwane metro to prioritise safety at the Mamelodi reservoir 4 as vandalism was leading to the water allegedly getting contaminated.
Metal lids covering the reservoir at the top had been stolen and as a result, the water inside was exposed to all forms of contamination.
Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the metro had approved the appointment of multiple security companies to stop vandalism at the site.
“The starting point was conducting a risk assessment and occupational health and safety check on the metropolitan municipality’s assets. Thereafter, the security will be deployed based on the said evaluation,” said Mashigo.
Oupa Mtshweni of Mamelodi Concerned Residents for Service Delivery said vandalism had been persistent for more than 10 years.
He said despite the recent visit by local ward councillors from Mamelodi, the reservoir desperately needed serious attention and that something should be done as soon as possible.
“Tshwane metro’s main concern is that people of Mamelodi must pay for service delivery, issuing a final letter of demand to residents who are unable to pay for services that are estimated by the metro,” said Mtshweni.
He said he was happy that the newly elected local ward councillors were aware of the issue.
However, he added there were other issues at the reservoir including there being no access control whether in the form of personnel or systems; valves that are missing or stolen; and the steel stairs had been cut off and removed.
He said the reservoir posed a danger with the valves missing as the pipes could explode anytime which would leave residents of Mamelodi without water for months.
“The health hazards are that anyone could come at any time and pour poison killing all Mamelodi residents at once,” said Mtshweni.
He advised residents to boil tap water before using it or drinking it for their safety.
Last year September, the metro’s water and sanitation department led an operation to remove illegal connections at Mamelodi Reservoir 4.
This operation followed complaints by residents of Mahube Valley, Ikageng extension 4 and 5, who had been experiencing a prolonged water outage, which affected businesses, such as car washes and non-profit organisations.
“Businesses were losing customers and NPOs were unable to service residents.”
The TMPD was present throughout the operation as artisans had to be safeguarded while detaching the illegal water conduit.
Mtshweni said the illegal pipeline was removed and the city also closed the window frames off with steel slates to make it difficult to break into the reservoir chamber where the illegal connection to pressure reducing valves and points was made.
He urged the Tshwane mayor and the MMC Tshwane water and sanitation to visit the site and called on a public meeting to inform residents about how the issues will be fixed going forward.
Metro officials working for the water and sanitation department said they had been replacing stolen doors and metal lids for years but without the security and fence around the perimeter vandalism will continue taking place at the site.
The metro pleaded with the residents to any vandalism, tampering with electricity and water infrastructure as well as illegal connections by calling 012 358 7095/96.
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