Mogalakwena water ‘not safe’ for people or animals
Diarrhoea and skin rashes in children are being linked to what's coming out of communal taps in Mogalakwena, prompting residents to start testing the water themselves.
MOKOPANE – Community organisations in Mogalakwena have launched a new water monitoring forum after community-led water testing reportedly revealed that much of the water supplied through communal taps is unsafe for both human and animal consumption.
The initiative follows a two-day community water monitoring and action planning workshop hosted by the Young Urban Women’s Movement (YUWM) in partnership with WaterCAN from July 22-23.
Representatives from Enviro Vito, Lesaneng Development Forum, Thari ya Mokopane Concerned Forum, Women in Mining, Macau and Mogalakwena Concerned and Affected Communities (MCAC) attended the training, which aimed to equip residents with the skills to monitor water quality and advocate for improved service delivery.
‘Shocking’ test results raise alarm
According to WaterCAN’s citizen science and training coordinator, Nomsa Diale, the results of recent water tests conducted by community members together with WaterCAN were deeply concerning.
“The findings reveal that much of the water supplied through communal taps is not safe for human and animal consumption,” Diale said.
She described the quality of the water in Mogalakwena as “shocking” and linked it to recurring cases of diarrhoea and skin rashes among residents, particularly young children.
Residents trained to test and advocate
During the workshop, participants were trained to conduct community water testing, interpret scientific data for advocacy purposes and develop action plans aimed at improving water governance.
New forum to monitor and hold officials accountable
The training also led to the establishment of the Mogalakwena Water Crisis Forum (MWCF), a community platform that will unite affected residents in advocating for safe and reliable water services.
The forum will work with communities to monitor water quality, document water service delivery failures, engage relevant authorities and campaign for transparent, accountable and sustainable water governance.
The initiative will be coordinated by young community leader Tebogo Stevens Leso, who said the forum aims to ensure that the voices of affected communities are heard and that every household has access to safe drinking water.
Clean water a “fundamental human right,” says YUWM
Reflecting on the workshop, YUWM facilitator Baba Selomo said the training had been highly successful and that participants achieved all their objectives over the two days.
YUWM reiterated that access to clean, safe drinking water is a fundamental human right and said the participating organisations intend using the skills and data gathered through the programme to hold municipal authorities accountable for delivering safe water to Mogalakwena residents.
