Gauteng residents assured that water is safe – DWS
The Gauteng Department of Health (GdoH) said the number of patients treated at Jubilee District Hospital since May 15 was at 229, while 23 of the patients were transferred to other Tshwane-based hospitals and 23 people died.
Gauteng residents can consume tap water as long as their municipalities’ supply meets the requirements of SANS 241, government has said.
Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) spokesperson Wisane Mavasa said SANS 241 prescribes the requirements for acceptable, safe potable water nationwide.
Recently, a cholera outbreak has claimed the lives of residents of Hammanskraal, as young as 3 years old.
Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, was plunged into crisis following the mysterious outbreak and announcement that locals not consume tap water.
Cholera cases have been reported in Hammanskraal, Tshwane and Parys in Ngwathe local municipality, Free State since before the AfriForum tests.
According to AfriForum manager for environmental affairs Lambert de Klerk: “The first water sample taken at the outlet of the water works [in Parys] was not contaminated with cholera.
“The second water sample taken from a residential house in Parys tested negative for cholera but was infected with E.coli. The third water sample was taken in the Vaal River, approximately 10 metres downstream from a manhole that has been pouring sewage into the river for some time. It is this very water sample that is contaminated with cholera and E.coli,” De Klerk said.
Mavasa said, “It is therefore not surprising that raw water from that part of the river tested positive for cholera, however, as indicated earlier, this does not mean that treated water supplied by the municipality contains cholera.
“Officials of the department have investigated the sewage-spilling manhole and are in the process of issuing a directive to the municipality to stop the pollution.”
Mavasa said: “Technical teams from DWS, provincial and national departments of health and municipalities are carrying out water quality tests at distribution points and water treatment works in areas where people have become infected.
“They are also engaged in tracking and tracing of infections. It is important to note that cholera is not only spread through polluted water – it is also spread through poor hygiene, eating contaminated food or by coming into contact with the faeces of an infected person.”
Mavasa said the source of the cholera infection had not been located.
“It is highly likely that the cholera outbreak which started in Hammanskraal in Tshwane is related to the pollution of water sources in the area from the Rooiwal waste water treatment works upstream of Hammanskraal. The Rooiwal plant has not been well-maintained for many years, and has insufficient capacity to deal with the volume of waste water entering the works.”
Mavasa said the Rooiwal plant was allegedly polluting the Apies River which flowed into the Leeukraal dam, which Tshwane’s Temba water treatment works draws from.
“The Temba works is supposed to clean the raw water abstracted from the dam and treat it so that it is fit for human consumption. However, the water in the dam is so polluted that the Temba works is not able to treat the water such that it meets the required standards for drinking water.”
He said the tests on the water from the Temba works however indicated no cholera bacteria.
He added the water could be used for purposes such as personal hygiene, dishwashing and washing of clothes.
In 2022, the Green Drop report released by the DWS indicated that the condition of many municipal waste water treatment systems was deteriorating.
“This means that many municipalities are discharging effluent from the waste water treatment works which does not meet the specified treatment levels, which in turn is resulting in pollution of the rivers and dams from which municipalities and water boards draw water to supply to communities.”
The Gauteng department of health said Jubilee district hospital had since May 15 treated 229 patients and transferred 23 to other Tshwane-based hospitals.
It said laboratory tests had confirmed that 48 Jubilee patients had contracted cholera and 23 succumbed to the disease.
“As of Saturday, there were 77 patients admitted for diarrhoeal disease. It is worth noting that 29 patients have since recovered and been discharged.”
The education department has also since the outbreak developed an urgent water delivery plan which is underway at about 61 schools.
The plan is scheduled to continue until there is a lasting solution in the matter.
Departmental spokesperson Steve Mabona said education was embarking on an urgent water delivery plan at 61 schools in Hammanskraal.
“This will provide access to clean and drinkable water for learners and staff.”
“The department has since decided to supply schools in the affected areas with water.
“Sadly, it is unfortunate that a 3-year-old child passed away in hospital while receiving medical treatment last week, after allegedly displaying symptoms of cholera,” Mabona said.
“Two other children were hospitalised for similar symptoms, but were discharged on May 24.”
Tshwane spokesperson Selby Bokaba said: “Tshwane had sampled water for testing from its various water distribution points, including hydrants and reservoirs and the results had not shown any trace of cholera.
“Confirmatory test results from the NICD which will pinpoint the actual source of contamination are still outstanding.”
ALSO READ: Tshwane to test water tests in Hammanskraal as cholera outbreak bites
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