
A RESIDENT from Port Edward has reported a case of diarrhoea to Ugu, and claims that the municipality’s ‘poor water quality’ is the cause.
Ugu spokesman Sipho Khuzwayo issued assurances that Ugu had tested its water supply throughout the district. He added the test results proved Ugu’s water was safe for drinking and fell within the required South African National Standards for quality (SANS241).
“The tests follow the recent diarrhoea outbreak which has affected more than 1 000 children in the Ethekwini municipal area, leaving 30 dead,” explained Mr Khuzwayo.
“We can assure Ugu residents that our water is not contaminated by any bacteria that might cause diarrhoea or any other sicknesses.”
He added that Ugu’s water services department had run additional tests on the Umtamvuna source that feeds Port Edward and surrounding areas and that the results of these tests were ‘well above board’.
“Samples were taken and tested from the Umtamvuna river which feeds the complainant’s area and surroundings and no fault was found with the water,” he said.
Water has also been ruled out as the source of the reported diarrhoea cases within Ethekwini Municipality. The MEC for Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo has urged parents to ensure that infants younger that 12 months receive a vaccination to protect them from the deadly diarrhoea infection.
“No other cases have been reported in the Ugu District. Residents are urged to practise safe hygiene at all times, especially with bottle-fed infants as they are the most vulnerable,” said Mr Khuzwayo.
“The municipality will continue running tests in the next month to ensure consumers are continuously supplied with quality water,” he concluded.