FOLLOWING public concerns about muddy-tasting water in Ward 64, councillor Norman Gilbert has shared a report from uMngeni-uThukela Water (UUW) that suggesting that the water quality meets the required safety standards.

However, Gilbert said he is furious after receiving the report from UUW suggesting that water is safe to drink.

“I do not drink tap water myself because the taste and smell is not good. I have been fighting for the report to be released by UUW after numerous concerns were raised by residents about the poor quality of the water,” he said.

Gilbert said a report from the scientists at UUW confirmed that the current water quality poses no threat to human health.

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Residents in eThekwini had raised concerns, saying the water no longer tastes the same as before.

“The changes are strictly aesthetic, affecting only the taste and odour of the water. Significant levels of 2-Methylisoborneol (muddy smell in the water) were detected at the waterworks without early warning, as they were not present in dam analyses conducted just a week prior. The site has not experienced levels this high in over 10 to 15 years. To speed up their response, they have improved monitoring turnaround times from four days down to 24 hours, allowing for much faster interventions,” said Gilbert.

He said there was a dam adjustment on April 23 as UUW shifted abstraction to a lower depth in Inanda Dam. However, during the abstraction of water in Inanda Dam a 2-Methylisoborneol was found to be present throughout the entire depth profile.

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“UUW implemented Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) treatment. While initial removal was only 15%, the research and development laboratory has been running jar tests to optimise dosages, though industry standards for this specific issue require quantities that are not always practical,” he said.

Norman said in addition to this, UUW implemented advanced Ozone (water purification) process early this month.

“UUW teams are working daily to optimise these systems and achieve the best possible solutions for public consumption,” he added.

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