Ugu District Municipality successfully breached the Umzimkhulu River mouth on Tuesday this week after receiving the go-ahead from the Department of Environmental Affairs.
Ugu had to wait for the river level to rise before a successful breach could be achieved.
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According to Ugu, the closure of the mouth had not impacted on the water quality, which, it said, was well in line with the South African National Drinking Standards (SANS 241).
Ugu spokesman France Zama said the municipality constantly monitored the salinity of the river.
He confirmed that the salt content was currently very low and had no effect on water provided to customers.
Mr Zama stressed that there was no need to panic.
“All residents and holidaymakers can rest assured that the municipality will provide them with quality drinking water.”
The municipality also dismissed claims circulating on various social media platforms that the water supplied to communities was not potable, branding these reports ‘incorrect’ and ‘fake news’.
“We view this as a desperate attempt to undermine the municipality’s efforts to deliver services to our communities. We remain committed to our promise to residents to ensure that we deliver quality services during this festive season and beyond.”
He added that the municipality’s water was tested twice daily by an independent laboratory and recent results clearly show that Ugu adhered to accepted water drinking standards.
Consumers are urged to make use of the municipality’s official communication platforms, including the Ugu Municipality Talk Facebook page, the call centre which can be reached at 08000 92837 and its website www.ugu.gov.za to obtain credible information.
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