To Ugu mayor, Zero Mqadi…
The IRIS monitoring system*, which is the reporting mechanism of the DWS, has damning data on water quality compliance in our area.
While the Umtamvuna WTW is fully monitored for chemical and microbial contaminants, there is no testing and reporting on the health compliance of the water that comes out of our taps.
This situation is further identified in the Blue Drop reports.
Ugu council is further in contravention in that it fails to warn citizens that their drinking water cannot be regarded as compliant with the SANS241 standards as it has not been monitored, as required by law and regulations.
Another area of concern is the failure to publish regular health compliance reports of our beaches, estuaries and other recreational waters for public awareness.
It is not good enough to close beaches when there is a problem without this being part of a rigorous, ongoing, transparent testing process.
Demands:
1. The Ugu council ensures that its administration complies with the regulations and conducts regular drinking water testing at consumption points, not just at the treatment plant.
2. The Ugu council ensures that public warnings about the safety of drinking water are widely published in all media used by any affected community and, furthermore, that ward councillors are kept fully updated so that they can advise (or reassure) the public efficiently.
3. The Ugu council ensures that regular testing is done on our area’s beaches and recreational waters.
These results must be transparent and published for public consumption, and ward councillors must be kept continuously aware of any threats (or safe conditions) relating to public health and safety.
(*https://ws.dws.gov.za/IRIS/mobi_results.aspx)
D WATSON
Resident and citizen
Note: Ugu was asked for comment but none has been forthcoming.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
