Water safe to drink
It is believed the high tide on Sunday led to a spike in salt concentration, however, this was kept under control.
Ugu District Municipality has cautioned consumers to be water-wise as the level of the Bhobhoyi dam is still critically low.
The high tide continues to push sea water up the Umzimkulu River, causing high salinity levels at the abstraction point.
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Efforts are being made, said the municipality, to pump clean water to the dam during low
tide intervals.
It is believed the high tide last Sunday led to a spike in salt concentration, however, this was kept under control.
According to Ugu, the high tide is a natural phenomenon, just as droughts are, and preventative measures had, it said, been taken to prevent further salt from entering the plant.
“Although still within the permissible threshold, as a precautionary measure the pump station was shut off to prevent further salt ingression into the water network. This affected the flow to the Bhobhoyi plant, the Marburg reservoir and Oslo Beach,” said Ugu spokesman France Zama in a statement.
It is believed interval testing has now been conducted by Ugu teams who have managed to salvage clean water pumped up to the dam during low tide intervals.
“The system is slowly building up, and there is increased productivity at the Bhobhoyi plant. We will continue pumping until the next high tide when will stop and monitor salt levels.”
The municipality cautioned that relief supply may not be available as efficiently as was optimal, due to the Marburg filling point being affected.
However, it added a decision to have the filling point opened might be considered as trucks take much longer to fill up at the Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre.
The municipality also dismissed claims that Ugu water is currently not safe for human consumption.
“It’s disturbing to learn that there are those circulating such destructive rumours. Regardless of the ongoing high tide and related challenges at St Helens Rock abstraction works, our team has been working around the clock to contain the situation,” noted Mr Zama.
It is believed that Umgeni Water is also on board, carrying out independent tests at its accredited laboratory.
“We have a standing arrangement with Umgeni Water to test water quality every week. Rest assured, Ugu water is safe to drink,” he said.
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