Residents worried about water

The DA is planning to test the water soon.

June 4, 2015

1 minute read

Sewage leaks can be seen everywhere in the Govan Mbeki Municipality area.

TRICHARDT – The Democratic Alliance expressed their disapproval and disappointment in the negligence of the Govan Mbeki Municipality regarding the water situation in the area.

Mr Tim Denny, DA constituency chairman, as well as Ms Ciska Botha, DA constituency secretary, are concerned about the health risks that sewage infested waters could have on members of the community.

In addition to one man already having ended up with a serious disease due to drinking water from the sewage laden stream in Trichardt, there are several water and sewage leaks that flow from everywhere.

A sewage leak was found originating from a malfunctioning sewage pump, left unlocked in Ebrahim Daya Street and leaking into Trichardtspruit.

Manhole covers were left open and the entire scene showed signs of wear.

When asked about the faultiness of the sewage pump, municipal plumbers on the scene blamed the community for putting foreign objects into the system.

“One would think that a sick man, unable to be helped and turned down by a state hospital, would have been a wake up call to the municipality to start

doing something about the situation of this town and the impact it has on its residents.” said Mr Denny.

The DA said that the municipality should be held accountable for their ignorance.

Access to clean water is a constitutional right as well as a basic human need.

* The man who recently was diagnosed with cholera, died on Thursday, 22 May.

“He was very sick and we are glad he is not suffering anymore,” said his family.

The DA is planning to test the water soon.

“The Govan Mbeki Municipality does not take responsibility for the man’s death.”

“We are busy with an investigation and will soon determine where the problem is,” said Mr Henry Masango, head of marketing and communication of the Govan Mbeki Municipality.